The Airdrie Xtreme are looking to take their game to the next level this season.

Finishing their first four exhibition games with a pre-season record of 1-1-2, Xtreme Head Coach, Dave Millard says he is very optimistic for their chances in the AMBHL regular season.

"We feel we are a very well balanced team where we will be able to put up some offence but we also will be able to play good defensively."

The Xtreme started out slow in their first two games with losses to the Rocky Mountain Raiders and the Red Deer Rebels but were able to turn things around with a tie and a win.

With a dominating 6-1 victory over the Calgary Bisons in their most recent game on Sunday, September 11, Millard says this is the most competitive the team has played early on since he started coaching.

"We have a little different skill level this season coming in. We've got some really talented '03s that have joined the team and we've got some good returning players."

After a tough 2015/16 season, Millard is confident that the team will bounce back this year.

"Last year wasn't a very good year for us. We had really good kids that gave us what we could but we weren't good enough to compete with the upper echelon teams. This year, I think we do have the skill level and the work ethic to compete with the upper echelon teams. I think we're a surprising team; we're not going to be the Airdrie Xtreme from last year."

The Xtreme will hit the ice for their first game of the regular season on Saturday, September 17 against the Calgary Northstars. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m. at the Ron Ebbesen arena.

 

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