It was nearing game time and Muskie assistant coach Ken Christiansen sat on the “home” bench here Friday night with his hands clasped in front of him.
The black-and-gold were about to face the Kenora Broncos in Game 1 of the best-of-three NorWOSSA semi-finals and Christiansen, who has been part of the Muskie organization for more than 35 years, looked more like a man mourning the loss of a loved one than a member of a team hoping to take its first step towards a trip to the all-Ontarios.
“Usually I get nervous before the game, but not today, and I don’t know why. It was just one of those things,” Christiansen said with a slight smile after he watched the Muskies beat Kenora 4-1.
“Kennel was not saying a whole lot. I wasn’t real worried, but Kennel said he was worried because he wasn’t worried,” noted head coach Shane Bliss.
But once the puck dropped and the first few jittery minutes played out, the Muskies took control of a game they essentially had, and were expected, to win.
“These three-game series scare me because they are so short,” Bliss had said before the playoffs began. “It favours the underdog because there is no pressure on them.”
But entering Friday night’s game, the Muskies, who had finished second during the regular season with a 12-4-1-1 record, were the ones feeling no pressure.
“We’re just trying to stay as relaxed as possible because we play better when we’re relaxed,” said Muskie captain David Pierce.
“I think part of our game is trying to stay relaxed before the game and keeping things light,” he added. “Sometimes it may seem like we’re not focused, but that’s part of our preparation.”
Considering Friday’s convincing win, why mess with a good thing?
It began on the power play less than five minutes into the first period when Tyler Miller showed why he was tied as NorWOSSA’s top scorer with 22 points (14 goals and eight assists).
He collected a pass from Jacob Esselink and promptly found the back of the net.
And though the Muskies’ play was hindered by penalties in the middle of the period, Pierce later made it 2-0 as he collected the puck along the boards on the left side of Kenora goalie Matt Liske, skated out in front, and scored on a backhand (unassisted).
“The goalie waited so long that he dropped to his knees, so he made it an easy decision for me,” said Pierce, who promises to start shooting more and thinking less.
“All year I’ve been just thinking too much. I’ve just got to start to let instincts takes over and let things happen more naturally,” added Pierce, who notched seven goals and three assists during the regular season.
In the second period, Jordan Bale would get his shot re-directed in front with 14:40 left to give his team a comfortable 3-0 lead (Miller and Brian White assisted on the play).
Then Brock Benjamin would add another when he converted on a nicely-placed backhand that squeaked short side after rushing from the left side.
“I think the boys were definitely focused on Kenora. We’re not even talking about Dryden right now,” said Bliss, who saw his team lose only once to the Broncos in six regular-season games.
And though the Broncos were able to break Jason Green’s shutout bid, he was pleased with his play—and was not thrown off by a few signs that had been put along the boards at the arena.
“We needs ya DEEDS” read one in reference to Muskie goalie Dedrik Brueggeman. But the other that drew some eyebrows was ‘WE MISS WOOD’ (with frowning faces being drawn in the “OO”).
That sign was in reference to Cody Wood, who was the original starting goalie for the Muskies but now is in Atikokan. But Green, who led the team to the all-Ontarios last year, has turned such negatives into motivation.
“I know the guys on the team want me there and they know that I will always play to the best of my abilities,” said Green. “It’s just motivation for me to play better, but it doesn’t bother me.
“I went down to OFSAA last year and none of us were ready, and we didn’t know what to expect and we all got nervous and we choked,” he added. “This year, I feel we can go down there and I can help carry the team along with all of the veterans.”
Green also would get the call for Game 2, which took place Sunday night in Kenora. And though he allowed two early goals, his teammates responded with five unanswered goals for a 5-2 win and a sweep of the series.
Josh Sigurdson, Tyler Pocock, Brian Vargas, Miller, and Bale scored for the Muskies in that one.
They now will play the Dryden Eagles, who finished the regular season with in first place with a 13-2-2-1 mark. Game 1 goes Friday night in Dryden, with Game 2 slated for Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Ice for Kids Arena.
Game 3, if necessary, would be played back in Dryden on Tuesday night (March 8).
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
