Sports

Johnson, Stars hoping form follows function

By Matthew Semisch

11/25/2014

As the Bottineau U-19 girls hockey team progresses through its 2014-15 season, head coach Matt Johnson hopes to see his Stars turn into a well-balanced unit.

After the Stars finished their 2013-14 season with a 19-12-2 finish, Johnson came into the new campaign confident that his team can build on what it accomplished a year ago. In order for them to do that, though, he feels they will need to perform well at both ends of the ice.

“I view our team as just that: A team,” Johnson said. “Everyone contributes on the defensive and offensive ends of the ice.  

“We need to limit the opponents scoring chances and capitalize when we do get a scoring chance. I expect many close, low-scoring games, similar to last year.”

Johnson feels that the team’s biggest strengths, however, make themselves most evident in Bottineau’s own end of the ice. Senior goaltender Jacie Ceglowski, an All-State selection last season, is expected to lead the Stars from the back again this year.

“Our team strength starts in the net and goes out from there,” Johnson said. “Jacie will provide stability in the nets.”
Johnson singled out another senior, Erin Severson, as Bottineau’s top offensive threat.

“Erin is a very fast individual with the ability to put the puck in the net,” he said, “She provides many challenges for the competition.”

The Stars’ first home league game will take place on Dec. 13 against West Fargo.