While it may be human nature to always look at the top of the standings when scanning Web sites or even newspapers, this week we focus on the Golden Bears of Western New England College, a team still in search of its first victory of the season.<\/p>\n
Chris Bernard, now in his second year as head coach of WNEC, refuses to let the 0-12-1 record get him, or his players, down. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153For us, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been a situation where we have had a highly competitive and ambitious schedule,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he noted. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We also have not had a lot of practices between some of these games to address problems.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The coaching staff has been very careful not to let the record snowball into negative momentum. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get overly focused on the overall record, but on one shift at a time, one game at a time,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bernard said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve developed a mantra of \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcwin today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 whether it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s in practice, or on your shift in a game. This has helped not to feel the weight and burden of an 0-12 record. We just try to get it in, get it out, and be good in front of both nets.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
A former goalie for Clarkson University in the mid-90s, Bernard feels that his own goaltending has been better than the record would indicate. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Our goaltending has been very good all year long. We understand the mentality that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to work hard every night and maybe not get a win.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Junior Kyle Sagnella has appeared in all 13 games, making a total of 400 saves along the way, putting him first in the conference. He has also logged more minutes than any other goalie in the league. Bernard feels that his starting goalie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s GAA of 4.58 is certainly not a true reflection of his talent, especially given some of the opponents they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve faced along the way, such as Hobart and Elmira. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153These are quality opponents, and long term they should help us be battle tested. Sagnella has seen a lot of shots, and his goals-against-average is not a direct reflection because of some of the top teams in the country we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve faced.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Also seeing some limited time in net has been Justin Richards, and Bernard likes what he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s seen of the freshman: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been able to play, and he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s proven he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s capable.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The goal crease will become a bit more crowded with the addition of sophomore transfer Dennis Harrsch from Plattsburgh State, and maybe take some of the workload off of Signella.<\/p>\n
On his defense, Bernard commented, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve worked hard as a unit, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve gone through a lot of different pairings looking for a hidden formula, and we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve played a lot of young guys. Three of our six defensemen who have seen significant time are freshmen, and we know they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll make mistakes, but they want to get better. Everyone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s done their best. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re all collectively trying to get better.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
One glaring problem for WNEC has been their lack of offense. They have been shut out three times so far, and have yet to score more than three goals in a game. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We have to score more goals,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bernard stated. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We have the lowest total of goals in the conference. Part of the problem is we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re trying not to lose as opposed to trying to win. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re pressing, looking for the perfect scoring chances. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re squeezing the stick in front of the net, we need to loosen up.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll need to try something as their offense is ranked dead last in the ECAC NE, with a measly 1.13 goals per game.<\/p>\n
Despite the fact that the last WNEC victory was on Feb. 3, 2007, Bernard tries to keep his troops up, while at the same time continue to rebuild the program. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The kids have been great. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re really working on individual skills development. The kids understand that when you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re mired in this situation, the only ones who can turn it around are in the locker room. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve become more accountable and more motivated to compete on an amplified, elite level.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
In looking ahead, Bernard feels optimistic. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got an outstanding chance now after playing high quality teams outside of the conference. That experience should allow us to compete within the conference. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had a nice break, now it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s time to go out, compete hard, and take what we get. The first one [win] has seemed elusive.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
The Golden Bears returned to action with a road game at Plymouth State on January 9, which they dropped 5-1. That was the first of four games in 10 days, They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have a home game versus Potsdam State on January 13, followed by a trip to Franklin Pierce, and ending with a tough game when they host UMass Dartmouth on January 19.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
While it may be human nature to always look at the top of the standings when scanning Web sites or even newspapers, this week we focus on the Golden Bears of Western New England College, a team still in search of its first victory of the season. Chris Bernard, now in his second year as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":140328,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"coauthors":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n