Sometimes in life, you're lucky enough to get a second chance.Kale Dolinski (top left), Shane Stanicky, Michael Jordan and Curtis Beech were all part of the 2006-07 Melville Millionaires team that lost in 5 games to the Humboldt Broncos in the 2007 SJHL Final, and the four of them, rookies at the time, are now all third year vets looking to lead this 2008-09 team to a better fate.
Dolinski leads the Millionaires in playoff points with 11 in 13 games.
"I've had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach ever since (the '07 final). But I think we have a better team this year than we had back then, we have more depth, and if we play tough, physical and stick to the game plan, I think there's no reason why we can't take them off their winning streak of championships."
Humboldt's won the league in each of the last two seasons. They lost to Selkirk in Quadruple-Overtime in Game 7 of the 2007 Anavet Cup, but last year, swept the Manitoba Champion Portage Terriers and went on to beat the Camrose Kodiaks 1-0 in the National Final at the RBC in Cornwall, ON.
Jordan also feels being physical and trying to wear down a skilled Bronco defense corps should be key.
"They don't really like to play our physical style. Most of the South plays like that while the North's more finesse. I think we're better suited for a long seven game series because of that. We've had a grudge ever since that game in Humboldt (in '07), Game 5 it was. The third year guys on the team are pretty excited for this, and everyone realizes it, so it's pretty exciting."
Coach and GM Jamie Fiesel's quick to remind his troops they're not the favourite.
"We'll take that (underdog) role, gladly. It seems to be a role we've been accustomed to, we're used to. They still are the champions, and until you beat them, they are. We're accepting that role, and just because we beat them 3 out of 4, we know one time we caught them, they just had a bad game (9-1 in MVL), a couple close games that could have gone either way. I think the matchup is very, very close between both teams. They have their strengths, we have ours, it's going to come down to execution, and maybe a bounce or two."
Fiesel's weekly Wednesday Coach's Show is available on the Coach's Show link on the right hand side.
2 comments:
Wasn't houde on that team as well or did he not play in that series. I cant seem to find much on-line. I know they picked him up at the deadline from swan valley but not sure how much he played in the playoffs
hmm... i wasn't here by then either but i double checked with a few people that those were the only 4... and there was even an article in yesterday's Leader Post. I've got a feeling you're right.. he was in Melville then, but may not have played in the playoffs. i check into it further... we'll see what Facebook can come up with!
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