Cypress Bay holds lofty expectations in high school ranks Continued from Page 5


disadvantage. According to San, preparatory schools such as North Broward and parochial schools like St. Thomas Aquinas often use hockey as one of their student’s daily classes, therefore affording their play- ers on-ice practice sessions as often as five days per week.


Cypress Bay doesn’t have that luxury. Playing two games per week helps push season on-ice costs to around $900 per player, thereby often limiting Lightning players to one practice – per month.


Such was the case prior to the state championship against St. Thomas Aquinas, where Cypress Bay had a single on-ice practice compared to the Raiders’ seemingly limitless on-ice time. “We often try to go over things at a roller rink,


plays and things like that,” San said. “We try to do some of the teaching and coaching while the game is going on, which is difficult. We just look at this like


we’re trying to get the most in at every practice, but even though we’ve been successful, we could have been more so if we could have more time on the ice as a team. “Still, even with this amount of ice time, we have some kids who can’t play, because it’s too expensive.” Despite all the obstacles his team must overcome, San is quick to note that they’re never used as an excuse for failure on the ice. And with a lineup loaded with talent, the coach is once again setting expecta- tions at the highest level. “Every year we look to do as well as we can, but


with this team, it’s kind of unique because a lot of the players we have this year we had as freshman,” San said. “That first year with them was the only year we didn’t make the playoffs. Some parents wanted us to move to the B division, but I thought we had enough talent to win at this level. “Last year I thought we really had a chance to win a state title. This year it’s definitely our top goal.”


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