Feb 07, 2015 | Craig McLaren | 616 views
HAWKS Earn a Point in Hammer-Town
Playoff hockey is here! If last night's game was any indication of what we can expect over this 10 game schedule - hold on to your hats!!! The excitement has just begun!!!
"It was good to get the first game under our belts and it was great to get a point out of it" indicated Head Coach Craig McLaren. "This whole season we have been trying to teach the boys to compete. Sure we had a 2-0 lead and saw that slip away but we could have given up, hung our heads and gave them the game. We didn't. We competed and we fought back to get that point. We competed and we didn't let Hamilton take that game from us."
In a game that saw the HAWKS totally dominate at times it was evident they were given a strict game plan to follow and that they were executing. The HAWKS sent wave after wave of white shirts into the Hamilton zone to force turn overs but the momentum began to sway as the Huskies were not about to roll over and concede victory.
"Playoffs is a whole new season - not only for us but for other teams too. No matter where we ended up in the standings everybody has a second chance and everybody will be playing that much harder - that's what playoff hockey is. Our boys played hard and they saw how penalties hurt us. We spoke after the game about penalties and they know now that there is zero reason for taking a penalty in the offensive zone. We made some mistakes but we fought back hard to correct them. We learned from our mistakes and overall I am happy with the point. I would obviously rather of had 2 points but I will take the one point over no points any day. Lets be honest, we have talked a lot about playoffs and what to expect and last night the boys got their first taste. They saw how the Huskies came out hungry. They saw how hard they have to battle to win games. They know last night we battled just hard enough to get a point. They saw how important it is to keep the other team on their heels and they now know how important it is for us to get EVERY point possible. I have no doubt the intensity will be amped up for Sunday's tilt against St. Catherine's! We have 17 great kids in our room and I know all 17 will come to play HAWKS playoff hockey tomorrow!! I am PUMPED - can't wait to see our boys again and get going. I love playoff hockey and I am so excited and more so honoured to help coach our team and going through this playoff with our boys!!!"
A proud coach to say the least. Behind the scenes I was told the team had a formal meeting / video session where each player spoke about what the playoffs mean to them as well as learned a lot about positioning and the players were able to see the game from the coach's eyes and understand what they are telling them and why they are telling them. "Can't take a game off...bring our A-game every game...we play as a TEAM....we win as a FAMILY...its a new season...we have to increase the intensity...work even harder were just some of the answers the players shared with each other" explained Trainer John Rudy Papalia. "Our boys are learning what's at stake and they are understanding that they HAVE TO come to play EVERY shift and EVERY game to their best. They can't afford to not give an honest effort and they know that 17 HAWKS playing together as a TEAM, as a FAMILY is much stronger than 17 players playing their own game. I know on Sunday against St. Catherine's these HAWKS will be ready and will be looking to shut down the Hurricanes!! I wish the game was tonight I am that pumped!!"
Well Rudy you are not the only one that is excited!! I for one am so looking forward to the game! I managed to find a pair of tickets for the game from someone who was selling them on Kijiji, as I mentioned earlier the game is sold out! I also know that is will be HAMMER TIME on Sunday afternoon at the Preston Aud and hearing how highly the Staff and the players think of Hammer I know he is going to have a HUGE game as he battles the 'canes! Atta boy Hammer!
(HSN from the HAWKS Nest)
HAWKS Chirps
- LOTS of noise coming from the HAWKS fans last night - I know it is only going to be LOUDER in Cambridge!!!!
- Rumour has it that the Wizzard of Oz will be in Cambridge at the Dunnfield theater and they are auditioning for "Munchkins" - any thoughts on a good candidate?
- The MAGIC of #15 continues as call up Evan Gombocz had a great game last night earning the honours!
- Maybe The Legend (Coach Rick) should have a whistle???
- Leafs set a record last night! Hip-hip hooray!!!!!
- Aren't playoffs awesome!!! BEST time of the year!!
- Rumour has it not only is Dylan McKittrick and clan on Coach Craig's "going to get list" but now The Rock is on the list??? YIKES!!! Knowing him....you're in for a good one!!!