Hounds believe ‘grit’ will be critical against Spirit
by Peter Ruicci (Independent Media) | Photo by Bob Davies
They’re like two speeding trains heading towards each other – on the same track.
The Saginaw Spirit and Soo Greyhounds split eight regular season games with the visiting club winning each time.
Saginaw (50-16-1-1) finished second behind London in the OHL’s overall standings, while the Hounds (45-18-3-2) were third.
Both clubs surrendered 215 goals – tied for fourth-fewest in the league.
The Spirit had the edge offensively, outscoring the Soo 303-286.
So what will separate these powerhouses and determine the winner in this highly-anticipated, best-of-seven series?
“Grit,” offered Hounds head coach John Dean, whose team is set to leave for Saginaw early Wednesday afternoon for the opening two games, Thursday and Saturday (both at 7:05 p.m.). “Also, second effort, relentlessness and a willingness to sacrifice oneself for the team. We think we have that in spades.”
The coach went on to explain his thoughts that when two teams are “equal and balanced in skill set, the intangibles are what makes the difference.”
Displaying their gritty side is “the way we played against Guelph,” said star winger Gavin Hayes, whose club eliminated the Storm in four straight in a first-round series. “We need to play that way again. Everyone needs to play with desperation, blocking shots, tracking back, forechecking, backchecking.”
Spirit head coach Chris Lazary is limiting media availability and was unavailable for comment on Tuesday.
Meantime, Dean said the Hounds are where they want to be mentally. He spoke of the confidence they have entering this series.
However, “Saginaw is a fantastic opponent, obviously,” the coach added. “They finished seven points ahead of us, they’re ranked No. 2 in the entire league, but we’re ranked No. 3. Obviously, we have a lot of respect for them. We believe we’re playing a really-good hockey club. But we think we’re better.”
And the visitors could get a personnel break to begin the series.
Dean said winger Jack Beck, out with an upper-body injury since the early stages of Game 1 against Guelph “could play in Saginaw.”
The Soo’s leading scorer was on the receiving end of a check to the head delivered by the Storm’s Max Namestnikov. Beck required assistance leaving the ice and hasn’t played since.
Fellow winger Travis Hayes, who’s also been sidelined due to an upper-body injury, is “capable of playing in Saginaw,” the coach added.
Asked about the things the Spirit does so well, Dean said he prefers to focus on the Hounds game.
He talked of how his club “believes in a formula we think makes us successful against any opponent. Our group is capable of adjusting in games, so we’re really excited about our potential in this series.”
Playing without the puck is an area in which the Hounds have taken strides this season.
They’ve defended well consistently.
And especially late in the regular season and in the playoffs, they’ve displayed a penchant for limiting both shots on goal and Grade A scoring chances.
“Our willingness to sacrifice our bodies to make sure the puck doesn’t go into our net has been critical,” Dean said. “We’re actually a defence-first team – that’s our focus. Our guys are willing to defend first and play offence second. And we know we have a great skill set to fall back on when we do get the puck.”
Dean also spoke of how the Hounds attention to detail when they don’t have the puck has been “exceptional.”
Obviously, goaltending could be the determining factor in the series.
Hounds starter Charlie Schenkel finished the regular season with a 28-12-3-0 record, a 3.10 goals against average and a saves percentage of .883. In four postseason contests, the Ottawa native posted a 2.56 g.a.a. and matched his regular season saves percentage of .883.
Saginaw’s Andrew Oke went 29-10-1-0 in the regular season with a g.a.a. of 2.89 and a saves percentage of .890. In the Spirit’s four-game sweep of Owen Sound, Oke put up a 2.00 g.a.a. and a saves percentage of .928.
Both are 2004 birth-year players.
“I just want to give my team the best chance of winning,” Schenkel said. “I’m really excited. Saginaw has a good team and this is a highly-competitive rivalry. It’s really fun to compete at the highest level. I’ve been working really hard all year for this and I’m confident in my game.”
Dean talked about how confident he is in Schenkel.
“Two great goalies,” the coach said of the matchup. “And Charlie has been exceptional for us.”
“We have 100 per cent confidence in him,” Gavin Hayes said of Schenkel. “When he’s on his game, he plays really well.”
Hayes also praised backup Landon Miller, saying: “When those two are on their game, no one can beat us.”
Games 3-4 in the series are slated for Monday and Wednesday, (both at 7:07 p.m.) at GFL Memorial Gardens. If a fifth contest is needed, it would be played at the Dow Event Centre on Apr. 19 (7:05 p.m.). Game 6, if necessary, is slated for Apr. 21 (7:07 p.m.) in the Sault.
And should the series go the distance, the deciding clash is scheduled for Apr. 23 (7:05 p.m.) in Saginaw.