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'Key guys' must step up, Habscheid says, as Royals return from Kamloops down 2-0
BY CLEVE DHEENSAW, TIMESCOLONIST.SPORTS MARCH 25, 2012 7:02 PM
KAMLOOPS — The biggest stars are attracted to the biggest stages.
That’s why Victoria Royals GM and head coach Marc Habscheid wants to see more out his top-drawer producers when his club’s best-of-seven opening-round Western Hockey League playoff series shifts to Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre Tuesday and Wednesday nights after the Kamloops Blazers won the first two games in the Interior.
“We need to see more from some of our key guys,” said Habscheid, after the Western Conference second-seed Blazers defeated the seventh-seed Royals 4-1 Friday night and 7-4 on Saturday evening.
“Your best players have to be your best players. Our top-six forwards have got to produce. If you are in that position [top-six forward], you have to produce. Right now, our depth guys are outplaying our top producers.”
It’s perhaps telling that rookie Taylor Crunk has the same points total in the series as Royals MVP and regular-season leading-scorer Jamie Crooks, with a goal and assist each. California native Crunk scored his first career WHL goal Saturday in the third period in garbage time.
Robin Soudek, the Royals’ third-leading scorer in the regular season, has shown fairly well in returning from injury, with two goals in the series. Steven Hodges, the quicksilver and elusive forward ranked No. 55 among North American skaters for the 2012 NHL draft, has two assists.
Rookie revelation Logan Nelson from Minnesota, the 108th-ranked North American skater for this year’s NHL draft, has a lone assist but has yet to otherwise leave an imprint on the series.
“The top guys are expected to stand up in the playoffs because it’s the biggest stage,” Crooks agreed.
“The top guys need to be the go-to guys in the playoffs.”
That’s what is happening on the other side, with the most touted Blazers indeed blazing. Rookie Swiss standout Tim Bozon, whose stock continues to rise for this summer’s NHL draft, scored three times over the first two games. Captain Chase Schaber had four points on two goals and two assists.
Kamloops is ranked ninth among all major-junior teams in North America and scores in bunches, a fact noted by observers of the series.
“It’s tough because we stay with them, but then let down for maybe 12 minutes in both games. And in both games that put us behind,” said rugged Victoria forward Zanes Jones.
“We were solid other than those 12 minutes in each game. We have to go the full 60 minutes and win the 50-50 battles against these guys. We’ve got to believe in ourselves and that we can do it [rebound to win the series].”
Victoria forward and assistant captain Tim Traber concurred.
“Those 10 to 12 minutes let us down both games, and they [the Blazers] used those moments to shove it in our faces a bit. But we’re coming home now in front of our large crowds.”
It’s a different stage, swinging from the Interior to the Island, but no less important this time of year in hockey.
ICE CHIPS: While Victoria famously goes for hosting fewer but more select prestige events such as Commonwealth Games, FIFA and world curling, the signs welcoming people to Kamloops proudly proclaim it as “Canada’s Tournament Capital.” The city has built an impressive array of fields, diamonds and courts to back that up. It doesn’t matter what it is — from kids’ sports to old-timer events — this city wants those heads on hotel pillows and bums in restaurant seats . . .
Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin is a native of Kamloops, which could perhaps lead to some conflicting emotions this week.
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