Can a losing teen team be fixed?

Nobody likes losing or being part of a team considered a league doormat. But doormat might soon be the label attached to this year's edition of my son's team if the players don't soon buck up.
A tie Sunday night against the last place team in the league could be the sign of a long winter to come, especially considering Oakridge tied it with 1.1 seconds left to leave the rink with a 5-5 draw. And to think defence, just like the Toronto Maples Leafs, was supposed to be the hallmark of this year's West London Hawks major midgets.
It followed a 6-1 loss in Sarnia in which the teams started the third period tied 1-1. And before that, two losses to both versions of the elite London Jr. Knights AA teams and the impressive North London Nationals.
A sad, losing record is new territory for many of these kids. Several were part of West London teams that won or were runners up for Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario championships. They've won or were runners-up in a fair share of tournaments over the past few seasons.
But injuries and other commitments frequently mean a short bench. Pitiful attendance at practice is yielding the predictable results. And a spiral of losing means individual efforts are taking over from synchronized team play  (the art that makes hockey a great team sport). When the short, quick pass dies, so does a team. When battles are lost along the boards, so are games. When forwards ignore their defensive assignments, goaltenders and defencemen are left hanging out to dry.
No worries, the coaches can fix it. But only if the kids are interested.

A Sarnia defenceman falls, their goalie drops his stick, but it's still not a big enough advantage for the West London Hawks against the Jr. Sting on the weekend. A 1-1 tie heading into the third period turned into a 6-1 triumph for Sarnia..