When you have two teams to climb over in the standings to get into playoff position, you need to start putting a few wins in a row together.
That's the situation facing the Guelph Storm as they return from the Christmas break with a 7 p.m. game Wednesday at home against the Sarnia Sting.
Guelph has not won more than two games in a row all season, and that was the first two games of the season.
Guelph sits dead last in the Western Conference, seven points back of the Flint Firebirds for the final playoff spot and four points back of ninth-place Saginaw.
"We haven't had a streak yet this year," said coach Jarrod Skalde just prior to the skate-the-turkey-off first practice back Tuesday at the Sleeman Centre.
"All we can do is take it game by game," Skalde said. "It's got to be win three-lose one; win two-lose one type thing. Definitely a streak needs to happen."
It's hard to put a finger on why they can't get on a role, he said, but that perhaps the coaching staff needs to address the way it prepares for games.
"We've had good games on Fridays and then haven't had our best efforts on Saturday. As a coaching staff we have to maybe change our approach on that second game. Whether it's how we run our meetings, or something like that. Change how we approach it and really stress the details.
Guelph jumps into the deep end with seven games in 12 games. That includes a weekend road trip to Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie and a home game next Tuesday against Kitchener.
"At any level, when you come back from Christmas it's exciting," Skalde said. "Guys are fresh, ready to go and make a run for it."
The team is close to getting one of two key players back from injury.
Nate Schnarr (shoulder) practiced Tuesday and could play Wednesday if all goes well but more likely returns on the weekend, giving him time to get a couple of practices in.
Austin Hall (concussion) is progressing through concussion protocols but there is still no timetable for his return.
