Dean loves Greyhounds confidence
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media) | Photo by Bob Davies
On a scale of 1-10, the Soo Greyhounds confidence level appears to be hovering around a 12.
As they prepare for Thursday’s start of the best-of-seven OHL playoffs against Guelph (7:07 p.m. at GFL Memorial Gardens), Hounds players are leaving little doubt about their expectations.
“I think this is a championship team,” said defenceman Arttu Karki, who notched a goal and three assists over his last two regular season games to finish with a 21-24-45 stat line in 59 contests. “What excites me most about the start of the playoffs is the chance for us to win a championship.”
Twelve months after missing the postseason, the 2023-2024 Greyhounds finished with a 45-18-3-2 mark, third-best in the 20-team loop.
Five clubs scored more than the Soo’s total of 286 goals. And only three teams surrendered fewer than the Greyhounds total of 215 goals against.
Over six months, they never lost more than two straight games in regulation.
So how far can the Hounds go?
“We can go Saginaw far,” said veteran defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev.
Asked if that means an OHL title and a trip to the mid-Michigan city to play in the 2024 Memorial Cup, Kudryavtsev answered quickly.
“The goal is to go to Saginaw and win the Memorial Cup,” said Kudryavtsev, chosen his team’s most valuable player this season. “I’m sure we can do it. We have a great team.”
Another veteran also weighed in on the topic of this club’s potential.
“When we’re on our game, we’re the best team in the league right now,” added defenceman Andrew Gibson.
Asked if public proclamations of that nature bother him, head coach John Dean said no.
“I love them. I think they’re great,” said Dean, whose team also entertains the Storm on Saturday (7:07 p.m.) before the series shifts to Guelph for Games 3-4 on Monday and Wednesday, both at 6:30 p.m. “I think they have their minds focused on the big picture, but they’re also prepared to take the playoffs game by game.”
As he has on several occasions this season, the coach spoke of the high level of maturity he sees within his group.
“They’re not looking past anybody, not looking past even one period of play,” Dean said. “They’re prepared to do whatever it takes to make sure we go deep into the playoffs, and that’s our goal.”
But is there a possible pitfall involved with making such bold pronouncements?
“No pitfall,” Dean answered. “We’re prepared to go as far as we can in the playoffs and our players feel as if we can go the farthest. But we’ll still take every game one at a time.”
If the series between the Hounds and Storm requires a fifth game it’ll be played on Apr. 5 (7:07 p.m.) at GFL Memorial Gardens.
Game 6, if required, is slated for Apr. 7 (6:30 p.m.) in Guelph.
And should the series go the distance, Game 7 is scheduled for GFL Memorial Gardens on Apr. 9 (7:07 p.m.).
Notes: Dean said defenceman Caeden Carlisle will not face suspension and will be ready to go on Thursday. The Mississauga, Ont., native was handed a five-minute major and game misconduct for cross-checking in Sunday’s 9-2 loss to the Saginaw Spirit.