The first snowfall may have been the first signs of the start of winter sports for many, but the hockey team has been playing in their season for months now.

Despite hockey not being an official sport here at Westside, the team has made it clear that they are as much as a sport as any other team.

Already beating the number one team in the league, senior Cameron Hickey is ready to take on other top teams like Kearney’s Tri-City and Elkhorn.

“Tri-City buys extra ice so they have more time to practice so they will definitely be a top competitor,” Hickey said.

To prepare for each game, the team has done various drills, workouts and strategizing. One of the biggest things they have done to prepare is doing Herbies during practice, which is running suicides on ice.

“Our plan is to hit hard and to hit often,” senior Cameron Hickey said. “We have the largest defense in the league and we want people to be afraid to skate in our zone.”

Hickey and the team’s number one goal is to finish on top.

“Obviously we want to win state and considering we beat the number one team without two of our players, we could have a good shot,” Hickey said.

Along with Hickey, key players on the team are Adam Fletcher and Mason Cirone.

“Mason is one of our top five hitters and Adam has no problem sacrificing his body to make a pass and that’s what we are looking for on the team,” Hickey said.

They will play against Lincoln Capitols at Lincoln Wednesday Dec. 2.

To see when the hockey team will be playing in Omaha click on the link below:

http://www.omahahockey.com/schedule/team_instance/1446420?subseason=240571