The South Shore Mustangs' new coach says the days of opponents expecting an easy win against the team are over.

 "Gone are the days of coming to Bridgewater for 'point night.' Any wins against the Mustangs will be earned," said Tim Boyce, who has been pleasantly surprised by the upbeat attitude of the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League (NSMMHL) organization despite its 17-46-7 record the past two seasons.

 "It's easy to fall into a spell of negativity, but everyone from the executives right down to the returning players have been very positive and a pleasure to work with."

 Those players have also been buying into his defence-first philosophy.

 "We have been preaching it and teaching it right from Day 1 of camp. If we're going to be successful this year, we need to lower the goals against from last year, and I think we have the players to do that."

 A trio of rookie blueliners are the prime reason for that optimism, including Canada Games hopefuls Ryan Graves and Robert Patterson, and Brendan Nickerson, who had three goals and an assist in the team's first two exhibition games.

 "Nickerson, at only 14 years of age, was granted special permission to come to midget a year early ... by Hockey Nova Scotia, and has looked very poised for a boy just 14."

 The defence is expected to be backstopped in goal by Lumberjacks draft pick Billy Clarke.

 "He has an opportunity this year to showcase himself as one of the top goaltenders in the NSMMHL and I think he's ready for that challenge.

 Meanwhile, the veterans came to camp in good shape.

 "Jagger Harnish, Evan Lenihan, Shaun McEachern and Brennan Bailey are all guys that have been at camp since Day 1 and have taken a leadership role."

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 Mr. Boyce said although there's no question he wants the Mustangs to improve their on-ice record in 2010-11, there are other ways to define success in this league.

 "I'd like to see some of our players get noticed by some higher leagues and have an opportunity at the next level. Ultimately that is what hockey at all levels should be about, promoting your players to the next level and not holding them back."

 For example, he was pleased that Brandon Verge, who led the team with 17 goals and 28 points in 35 games last season, apparently "had a strong showing at the Pictou Junior A camp, according to Pictou staff," before returning to the Mustangs.

 The club's home opener is scheduled for September 14 against Halifax.

posted on 09/07/10