LITCHFIELD -- It's frustrating enough to be held without a goal in a period, much less an entire game. So think of how the Litchfield/Dassel-Cokato players and coaches feel. The Dragons have been shut out in seven straight games, including a 6-0 loss to Morris/Benson Area on Tuesday night.
"In a lot of these games, we've had very good chunks of time playing hockey," said LDC head coach Brian Johnson. "But then we have let-down times from getting tired or (from being) inexperienced and we'll give up three goals in a matter of minutes."
The Dragons skate only two lines (six forwards and four defensemen). Johnson anticipated being three lines deep this season, but four girls who would have likely skated significant minutes chose not to go out for hockey this winter for various reasons. And five of the 10 current players on the first two lines are in grades 8-10 so the team is not only facing a lack of depth, but also a lack of experience. And senior captain Makenzie Anderson, a five-year starter, has missed the last seven games because of a concussion.
"In the first eight games, we scored 25 goals," Johnson said. "And in the last seven, we've been shut out. I think it mainly goes to show how tough the Mississippi 8 Conference is to play in right now with such a a young team and not much depth. There are several outstanding goaltenders in this conference."
In one non-conference game against Marshall during the current drought, LDC faced another solid goaltender, losing 1-0 despite outshooting the Tigers, 54-12.
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"Even though we haven't been able to score, the girls know we have had our opportunities, whether it was hitting the pipes or just shooting wide," Johnson said. "We will continue to skate hard and gain experience. Sooner or later, with hard work, the puck will begin to bounce the right way for LDC."
LDC hosts Mound-Westonka in a Mississippi 8 Conference game on Friday. Mound-Westonka won the first meeting this season 8-2 on Nov. 25 in Mound.
