We’ ve had a mix of games, including some where we almost want to forget about them, and then there are some games where we’ ve done a really good job of bouncing back
Based on his Chicago Blackhawks winning three Cups in the last six seasons, Jonathan Toews would be the easy pick and safe wager of local products to win it all again. With his club surging at the conclusion of the 82-game regular season and trying to outduel the Minnesota Wild for the Central Division title, Chicago appeared to be hitting their stride at the appropriate time.
However, they were not without their struggles. Back in January the‘ Hawks were striving for more consistency; something their captain indicated was still a work in progress.
“ We’ ve had a mix of games, including some where we almost want to forget about them,” says the 28-year-old former standout with the Bantam I Winnipeg Warriors.“ And then there are some games where we’ ve done a really good job of bouncing back.”
Of course, what else would you expect from a veteran-laden squad- a group that seemingly knows when to find another gear in their game by the date on the calendar?
The‘ Hawks past performance sheet and their finish to the regular season should be two strong indicators as to why they’ ll be considered one of the favourites in the Western Conference to capture another NHL title.
However, the beauty of living in a hockey-rich province is there are usually plenty of other Manitobans that aspire for the same objective as Toews and fellow Blackhawks’ forward Jordin Tootoo( Churchill) at this time of year.
In the West, players like Calgary’ s Micheal Ferland( Brandon) and Michael Stone( Winnipeg), Minnesota’ s Ryan White( Brandon), St. Louis’ Alex Steen( Winnipeg), Ryan Reaves( Winnipeg) and Joel Edmundson( Brandon) and Nashville’ s Cody McLeod( Binscarth) and Colin Wilson( Winnipeg) will all take an equal shot at becoming National Hockey League championships later this year.
In fact, for Wilson his game has rounded nicely into a clutch postseason performer with the Predators. The 27-year-old just completed his eighth season with Nashville which includes five playoff appearances with the franchise.
In the last 20 playoff games he’ s has amassed 10 goals including last year where he helped the Preds advance to the conference semifinals with nearly a point-per-game pace( 5-8-13, 14 games). It’ s that type of production that has earned him the nickname“ Playoff Colin Wilson”, a new handle he takes in stride.
We’ ve had a mix of games, including some where we almost want to forget about them, and then there are some games where we’ ve done a really good job of bouncing back