The Steinbach Regional Secondary School Sabres hockey team lost their sixth straight game Monday, as they were defeated by Transcona 4-2.

Transcona took control of the scoreless game late in the first period, as they notched three unanswered goals in the final seven minutes of the frame.  SRSS Head Coach Tony D'Angelo says although they were down by three, the team was playing well.  He notes they simply had a couple defensive breakdowns Transcona capitalized on.

Although SRSS entered the second period down 3-0, they never swayed from playing a strong team game and were rewarded as Walker Enns scored on the power play with two and a half minutes left in the second to make it 3-1 at the intermission.  D'Angelo explains one of the reasons they were able to keep the score from getting worse was the vastly improved play of their penalty kill, which they have been focusing on for some time now.

"The penalty kill has been much better, we were very happy with it.  We've solidified the neutral zone a little more, we've ended up pressuring shooters a little more and our guys are committing to blocking shots more.  It's a much more consistent level that we want."

Transcona added to its lead in early in the third period, scoring just four minutes into the frame.  While Taylor Plett answered for SRSS with 2:13 left in the game, it was too little too late.  The loss drops SRSS to 3-8 in their inaugural Winnipeg High School Hockey League season.  D'Angelo notes there are many different reasons for their six game skid.

"I think our defensive zone is a primary concern.  We weren't getting out as clean as we wanted to.  Our forecheck has been inconsistent.  We were attacking with a single player or maybe two players in situations where they weren't getting into the zone very well."

The Sabres will be facing a tough match in their next game, as they will travel to Sanford on Thursday to take on their division's first place team.  D'Angelo explains there are multiple things Sanford does exceptionally well.

"They're a very, very talented team.  They're very, very well coached.  They run a very tight defensive and neutral zone.  It's going to take individuals (to win).  It's going to take an individual effort within the team system."

This won't be the first time SRSS faces Sanford, as they lost 2-1 to them in the preseason in a game in which goaltender Dylan Fortin was outstanding.  Fortin will once again be drawing the start on Thursday, and D'Angelo is hoping he will be able to rekindle some of the magic he had in their preseason game.