 A 23-2 and 2 season last year led to the Bemidji Boys hockey team's second straight trip to state and a consolation title. Now the Jax are back with their eye on a third straight trip to the Excel Energy Center and a much bigger prize. The last time the Bemidji Boys hockey team made consecutive trips to state, they had to wait nearly 30 years for their next trip. But the Lumberjacks have no such plans to wait that long again. I expect nothing less than to be there again. The first two times was unreal and I really want to experience that again. We do believe as a coaching staff we have the right combinations and the right kids out here and we fully believe that we're going to be there again and I know this group is very excited and they fully believe we're going to be back in the state tournament. The Jax return their top two-point scorers in Alex Pollock and Brady Tatro. But they lose 10 players from last year's team who accounted for 209 of the team's 324 total points. Every year you lose players and the next kid has to step up and the reality is we do have the right kids to step up. We have some obviously new roles for guys that they're going to step into but the Ryan Poles are going to step up, the Noah Nye's and all those guys that played a role for us last year but now they're going to have a bigger role. And despite losing those 10 players they're still an experienced team returning 13 players who contributed significant ice time last year. There are a lot of kids that have played a lot of varsity hockey for us that are ready for this position and ready for this job and you know what we're going to be just fine and we're going to have a solid three lines and a solid decore back here and our goal technique is going to be outstanding. And while they admit there are still areas they can focus on and improve in, if everyone buys into their roles there's nothing that can stop them from a third straight trip to state. We got some work to do. You know we got a lot of young guys coming up this year but they're willing to follow in the footsteps of the team last year and as long as we work hard we have a pretty good chance of making it back. We have the pieces put in place. The guys just need to buy into their role and play their role to their best of their ability. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.