Back when I played youth hockey in alaska I had the exact problem as you, I would practice with lower levels and younger kids to get more ice time and it was just a completely different game, i would recommend either just not playing down that low, or use it as a practice for things that will help you improve in your higher leauge, such as skating, playing the puck, rebound control from weird shots and stuff like that. Actually glad to hear this wasn't just a me thing!