The Abbotsford Pilots racked up some eye-popping numbers last week, scoring a dozen goals and registering over 100 shots on net in road victories over the Aldergrove Kodiaks and Ridge Meadows Flames.
The local Junior B hockey club blitzed the Kodiaks 6-3 on Wednesday, and followed with a 6-2 win over the Ridge Meadows Flames on Friday, as they improved to 5-2-0 on the season.
But even though the numbers suggest the Pilots are coming into their own as an offensive juggernaut, head coach Jim Cowden sees things differently.
"We've still got lots of things to work on," Cowden insisted, mentioning the forecheck and defensive-zone coverage as areas in need of upgrading.
"No question, we had some good scoring opportunities," he added. "But we're only seven games into the season. Other teams are going to get better, and we have to get better, too."
On Wednesday, the Pilots avenged a 3-2 loss to the Kodiaks the previous weekend, exploding for four goals in the first period en route to the decisive win. Brad Parker (2), Kevin Lourens, Riley Lamb, Matthew Genovese and Adam Rossi scored for the Pilots, who registered an eye-popping 62 shots on goal.
The Pilots scored another half-dozen on Friday against Ridge Meadows on 43 shots, with Lourens (2), Dakota Schipper, Brady Lawlor, Ryan Stewart and Kyle Star doing the offensive damage.
• The Pilots are back in action on Friday, when they host the Mission Icebreakers (7:30 p.m., MSA Arena).