The U18 AAA Interlake Lightning have seen steady growth throughout the first two months of the season. The Lightning currently have a record of 4-12-1 this year, and head coach Scott Wong says they have played in a lot of close games but just haven't been able to come out on top in many.

"We've lost a lot of games by a goal or two. We're a very young hockey club right now and we're trying to figure out how to finish games, finish periods, and win those extra battles," says Wong. "Not to make excuses, but we have been fighting the injury bug and it's pretty difficult for us to find extra guys right now."

Interlake is currently on a five-game losing streak and Wong says they had a great opportunity to win last game but couldn't capitalize on the critical opportunities.

"We lost that game 7-4 to Norman but we were down 5-1 and came back to make it 5-4," Wong explains. "We had a 5-on-3 power-play, for a chance to tie the game, and we couldn't capitalize on it. Those are the little things that these guys need to figure out as they keep going forward."

Wong adds, the game prior, they lost 3-2 but outshot their opponents and had multiple odd-man rush chances that they didn't take advantage of. He notes despite the challenges, they have had a plethora of bright spots on the roster.

Hayden Wheddon leads the team in scoring with 12 goals and six assists, for 18 points and Alexander Kaczorowski isn't too far behind with 14 points. The three Portagers on the squad have also enjoyed solid seasons thus far as goalie Ty Hogue has played in eight games and defenceman Kye Parker has dished out a pair of assists. Wong says the third Portager has helped out tremendously this season.

"I'm really impressed with Evan Calder from Portage. One of the three Calders, Logan playing for the Terriers, and Kian playing in Estevan," says Wong. "He came here as Central Plains folded. Evan will do anything you ask him to do and he's getting better every game."

Calder has a total of seven points through his 16 games played this season.

The Lightning will be in action this weekend for the Cancer Care Game. All the Interlake Lightning programs will be playing on home ice tomorrow with all the admission proceeds being donated to cancer research. The Lightning will host the Southwest Cougars on Saturday in Stonewall.