A good start

Looking back on the first week of the season I can definitely say that we are off to a good start. Having 4 games on the road to start is a good test for any team and coming home 3 for 3 is all you can ask for as a player. Playing the season opener in Wilkes-Barre, when they are raising their Eastern Conference Championship banner from the year before was a nerve racking experience. First off home openers are a pain because you have to warm up and then sit in the locker room for 30 minutes while all the pregame festivities take place. When we were in the room we just kept telling each other to stay focused and mentally prepared. Coiners goal 96 seconds in was by far the most important of the game. It quieted the crowd and gave us a lot of confidence. We carried this confidence over to the power play and it was the main reason why we won the game.

Playing with Aucoin and Giroux has been great so far and I am privileged to be on their line. They are both tremendous players that have great vision of the ice and we have some good chemistry going so far. Hopefully we can continue to create scoring chances both 5 on 5 and on the power play. If we play to our potential I think we all will have very good years and be playing until June, which is the only thing that matters.

The thing that has impressed me the most so far with our team has been how the entire team contributes every night. Every player came to play all 3 nights and it was this depth and commitment from all 20 guys on the ice that got us the 6 points. The Rook line, made up of two Frenchies and a Finn, was fun to watch and they played like seasoned pros. The LBJ line of Laing, Beagle, and Joudrey gave us three great starts and provided momentum for the team with big shifts when we needed them most. Then you have Wilson, Bourquie and Gordo together. Three players that could score 30 goals each. The defence was solid and I was impressed with how well that they came out of the zone and made the ever important first pass. As long as we continue to get contributions from all 4 lines our team will be tough to beat. Inevitably the lineup will change and we have plenty of good players waiting for their turn to help out the team any way that they can. It is going to be an exciting year and so far we are off to a good start.