Triton
10-21-2005, 02:56 PM
Hitmen winning with teamwork
Sportsnet.ca
After losing forward star's Ryan Getzlaf and Andrew Ladd in the offseason to graduation, this was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Calgary Hitmen. Apparently, someone forgot to pass along the memo to the Hitmen.
The Hitmen are the hottest team in the Western Hockey League sitting alone atop the Eastern Conference standings heading into Friday night's action. Head coach and general manager Kelly Kisio sees an advantage to the departures of Getzlaf and Ladd.
"Last year we had some high end guys that were very good hockey players but I think we stood around and watched them rather than playing a solid team game," he said. "I don't think we need a star and it hasn't helped us too much in the past, so I don't think we need it this year."
The team's system has not changed from last season; however, they've paid more attention to detail this time around. While Kisio believes the team's work ethic's been strong, perhaps the most important reason for the team's success is the play of goaltender Justin Pogge.
"He gives us a chance to win every game. He has to be very solid for us every night for us to succeed... He's a very important guy to our hockey team."
Pogge, a third round selection of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2004, is tied for the league lead in wins and shutouts and is second in goals against average. Pogge came to Calgary through a trade with the Prince George Cougars last season, and in 29 games posted a .917 save percentage with the Hitmen. This season he's being counted on for more than simply stopping the puck, as Kisio said Pogge has to be a leader on and off the ice.
"We've got good goaltending and solid defence and those are two main ingredients to winning hockey teams," Kisio said. "If (Pogge) continues to play as well as he has this year and in the past, he'll give us a chance to win every game."
Pogge helped lead the Hitmen to a 7-0 start, which put them atop of the Canadian Hockey League's Mosaik MasterCard Top 10 rankings in the first week. Despite falling to No. 4 in the latest rankings, Calgary's still the top ranked WHL team, one spot ahead of conference rival Moose Jaw.
The team doesn't score quite as often as they did last season as their offence comes from some of their younger players. Edmonton Oilers prospect and rookie Fredrik Pettersson leads the team in points with 10 in 11 games, putting him in a tie for 26th in league scoring.
"We're much younger up front," Kisio said. "With (Getzlaf and Ladd) leaving, our young guys had to step up and play some big, important minutes for us and they've done a good job so far."
Although Kisio admits it will be tough for the team to continue their early season success, and thinks the team will need to disperse the ice time around to prevent the younger forwards from wearing down.
"We have to be careful how much we play each guy and make sure that they're not too tired when the end of the season comes around," he said.
If Calgary's able to keep their early season momentum going, it could go a long way in making amends for their second round departure in last season's playoffs.
Sportsnet.ca
After losing forward star's Ryan Getzlaf and Andrew Ladd in the offseason to graduation, this was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Calgary Hitmen. Apparently, someone forgot to pass along the memo to the Hitmen.
The Hitmen are the hottest team in the Western Hockey League sitting alone atop the Eastern Conference standings heading into Friday night's action. Head coach and general manager Kelly Kisio sees an advantage to the departures of Getzlaf and Ladd.
"Last year we had some high end guys that were very good hockey players but I think we stood around and watched them rather than playing a solid team game," he said. "I don't think we need a star and it hasn't helped us too much in the past, so I don't think we need it this year."
The team's system has not changed from last season; however, they've paid more attention to detail this time around. While Kisio believes the team's work ethic's been strong, perhaps the most important reason for the team's success is the play of goaltender Justin Pogge.
"He gives us a chance to win every game. He has to be very solid for us every night for us to succeed... He's a very important guy to our hockey team."
Pogge, a third round selection of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2004, is tied for the league lead in wins and shutouts and is second in goals against average. Pogge came to Calgary through a trade with the Prince George Cougars last season, and in 29 games posted a .917 save percentage with the Hitmen. This season he's being counted on for more than simply stopping the puck, as Kisio said Pogge has to be a leader on and off the ice.
"We've got good goaltending and solid defence and those are two main ingredients to winning hockey teams," Kisio said. "If (Pogge) continues to play as well as he has this year and in the past, he'll give us a chance to win every game."
Pogge helped lead the Hitmen to a 7-0 start, which put them atop of the Canadian Hockey League's Mosaik MasterCard Top 10 rankings in the first week. Despite falling to No. 4 in the latest rankings, Calgary's still the top ranked WHL team, one spot ahead of conference rival Moose Jaw.
The team doesn't score quite as often as they did last season as their offence comes from some of their younger players. Edmonton Oilers prospect and rookie Fredrik Pettersson leads the team in points with 10 in 11 games, putting him in a tie for 26th in league scoring.
"We're much younger up front," Kisio said. "With (Getzlaf and Ladd) leaving, our young guys had to step up and play some big, important minutes for us and they've done a good job so far."
Although Kisio admits it will be tough for the team to continue their early season success, and thinks the team will need to disperse the ice time around to prevent the younger forwards from wearing down.
"We have to be careful how much we play each guy and make sure that they're not too tired when the end of the season comes around," he said.
If Calgary's able to keep their early season momentum going, it could go a long way in making amends for their second round departure in last season's playoffs.