Lakefield Chiefs coach Jamie Arcand is trying to keep players motivated in uncertain times.

It becomes a challenge each time the PJHL pushes back the start to its regular season. The pandemic has played havoc with the Jr. C loop which last week pushed back its start date once again, now to Feb. 1. A schedule and playoff format haven’t been announced.

“It’s been a struggle for us as coaches, too,” said Arcand. “We’ve been trying to come up with different ideas to keep it interesting. If all you are doing is practising all the time with no anticipation of a game it has a different feel for the kids.

“One thing we did Tuesday with our two hours of ice is our four coaches drafted a team among our own players and had a three-on-three mini tournament. We awarded a championship and had a ton of fun doing it. We had so much fun we’re planning something similar this Tuesday.”

Lakefield bubbled with the North Kawartha Knights for a series of split-squad, five-on-five, no contact scrimmages in November approved by the Ontario Hockey Federation. They’ll do the same with the Campbellford Rebels this month. Following a 14-day quarantine they’ll begin scrimmages Dec. 12. In January they’ll bubble with the Port Hope Panthers.

With Lakefield expected to be a young roster with 12 new faces. Arcand said the extra preparation time will help in the long run.

“We have five or six kids from the midget AAA team who joined us and it’s given us an opportunity to see where they fit in the pecking order and their skill level compared to some of the older players. I’m going to be honest, it’s pretty impressive from what we’ve seen so far.”

For the sake of final year players Trevor Lawrence, Spencer Mullen, John Post and Lyndon Lemoire, who is expected to sign with the club, Arcand hopes there is a season.

“I’m hopeful there is going to be a season. All we can do is keep our fingers crossed,” he said. “Even when they do allow us to play we don’t know if it will be no contact rules. We don’t know anything for sure.”

Up to 50 spectators are permitted at the scrimmages. The Chiefs will host Campbellford at the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre 5:15 p.m. Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22. They will play in Campbellford 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 7 p.m. Dec. 19.