Team OZ made a quick trip to Spokane Washington this past weekend to play the Spokane Jr. Cheifs. 

Being down 3 players due to injuries, Team OZ and there staff knew that the weekend was going to be a big mental and physical test.

"The week prior we talked a lot about playing for your team, being accountable every shift and playing smart. Giving more than you think you can give," Head Coach Mike Richardson explained. 

The Games opened up Saturday night. But unlike most travel weekends, Team OZ left the morning of the game for there 9 hours bus ride to Spokane. 

Typically when the team travels, Team OZ leaves the day before. Rather it is by bus or by plane. 

Team OZ left Billings at 6 AM Saturday morning. Spent the day driving to Spokane, stoping once to eat Breakfast in Butte Montana. 

The team arrived in Spokane about 3 hours before game time, which left just enough time to check into their hotel and grab a sandwhich from a local sandwhich shop.

The players arrived at the rink and got right to work. "We have a count down of about 100 minutes before game time. We prepare the same way every game. We have the same count down for everything. We always have a talk at a certain time, we always go and stretch at a certain time, nothing ever changes," Richardson explained. 

The first game ended in a 2-2 tie. Goals scored by Zach Schingoethe and Kyle Truax. Spokane was able to tie the game up with 47 seconds left in the game. Team OZ was short one player due to a penalty and Spokane did the right thing and pulled there goalie for the extra attacker. 

"Richardson and his team were not happy with their 3rd period performance. 

"We got caught up in the trash talking part of the game. There is a game going on, instead of worrying about playing the game and getting a win, we were all worried about getting even with cheap shots."

Team OZ spent a total of 14 minutes in the penalty box in the 3rd period. 

"I don't care what level you are at, or what team you play for, you will not win hockey games killing that many penalties. We played a good game, we controlled the pace, we controlled the ice, but we gave it all up due to penalties."

Team OZ has the lowest penalty minutes in the North American Prospects Hockey League, so this came to a shock to Richardson while he was behind the bench watching his team take penalty after penalty. 

"As the season goes on, you win and loose on special teams. We stress playing 5 on 5 and getting power play time. The more Power Play and 5 on 5 time we can get, the better off we will be."

The team left the rink Saturday night already thinking about there game Sunday morning. 

10 AM was the start time, and Team OZ came out firing on all cylinders. 

Logan Speelman opened up the scoring 47 seconds into the game off of a nice play by Alexei Afanasyev.  

Scoring first is a big momentum boost for any hockey team, scoring that soon into a hockey game, is an even bigger momentum boost.

Team OZ won the game 5-2 with goals from Speelman (2), Schingoethe (2), and Afanasyev.

"That was a nice way to finish off the weekend. It is always easier to hop back onto a bus for 9 hours after a good win," Richardson said. 

The Team pulled back into Billings around 11 PM. The next event Team OZ will take on is in Frisco Texas were they are back to their league action. In Texas the will take on the Socal Titans, Pikes Peak Miners, Omaha Lancers AAA, Carolina Jr. Hurricans, and the San Jose Jr. Sharks.