With hockey season starting not only in the NHL but in school districts as well, EHS’s mid-state varsity team has their eye on the goal—being in the Challenge Cup Semifinals.

In their 2016-17 season, the mid-state varsity team pushed themselves into the Challenge Cup Semifinals only to be knocked out by CBC with a 6-1 lead, according to the Intelligencer. With the regular season starting Nov. 2, the boys have their minds set on getting back up to semifinals and pushing even closer to victory.

“I think this year’s team has a lot of big things in their future,” junior and hockey fan Kaleb Beeler said. “It’s not crazy to think they’ll be playing in the league finals at Scott Trade by the end of the season.”

The team undoubtedly has several veteran players this year. Seniors James Akeman and Matthew Griffin have been playing hockey for 13 years. Junior Mitchell Oberlag has for 10 years. Individually, the players are experienced. As a team, they will need to make improvements if they want to go over and beyond last year’s record.

Communication, endurance and team play are three things that the team must focus on this year, Akeman said. To do so, the team uses improvement strategies both on and off the ice.

“We…watch game film regularly to point out any mistakes we have made,” Akeman said, “and focus on strategies to improve on our shortcomings as a team.”

They implement these strategies onto the ice and use them to improve their communication, or their “system.”

“We’ve been trying to practice and focus more on our system,” senior Trevor Dailey said. “If we keep working hard at practices and master our hockey system then we will definitely be back in the final four.”

The pressure is on. EHS hockey has yet to obtain a Challenge Cup victory, and accomplishing their goal this season is the perfect opportunity to redeem themselves after last season’s loss.

“I just think our team is very competitive and has had a lot of hate in the St. Louis league,” Oberlag said, “so it pushes us to play harder and to especially go farther at the end of the season.”