The Calgary Hitmen have hit a stride over the last few weeks, seemingly finding the answer to the once-daunting question they asked early on this season: How can we win?
It wasn’t just winning a game every so often, but it was a mentality they sought out; a momentum allowing them to win regardless of the circumstances – like any sports team – but most importantly, a mindset to be victorious on home ice at the Saddledome.
Granted, things were never too grim on home ice; five losses appeared more frustrating than anything for the young team, but they quickly moved forward once they figured out how to tackle the issues they faced and approaching home games with a different, yet winning, mindset.
After winning 9 of 11 games in the month of November — five at home, four on the road — and improving to 19-6-1-2 on top of the WHL’s Eastern Conference, Calgary’s Chris Driedger says it’s been great to finally come together as a team.
“I think right now we’re really gelling as a team. Some of us know each other from last year but it’s the time of year that guys are getting to know each other a little bit better and different lines are starting to get some chemistry. I think it’s an all around team effort right now.”
Certainly, the first 28 games of the season didn’t come without struggle and obstacles to overcome which included the absence of four of the Hitmen’s top scorers who were out for various reasons. Captain Cody Sylvester, Brooks Macek, Brady Brassart and Victor Rask were not in the lineup for a large portion of the month of October, for injury, sickness, or in Rask’s case, a chance in the AHL with the Carolina Hurricanes’ Charlotte Checkers.
“It was pretty rough on us but I think we did a pretty good job of handling it even though the four guys were all out, not at the same time, but just about,” Dreidger said. “I think we played really good defensive hockey again and our ‘D’ core was doing great things. Now that they’re back, everybody is gelling and we’ve got a pretty solid top three lines and everybody is scoring.”
After a tough month through October, the Hitmen’s starting goaltender, shone in November and was recognized by the league for winning eight of nine starts in net.
Driedger modestly accepted congratulations for being named the WHL Goaltender of the Month and says it’s just his hardworking teammates who make him look good.
“When the team is playing well, it’s going to look good on me and we’ve just been playing great hockey,” he laughs. “I think our ‘D’ is one of the best, if not the best in the league right now, so, they’re honestly just making it easy for me.”
Driedger will continue to be put to the test this month with a tough schedule ahead. Friday marks the first of a home-and-home set with the Edmonton Oil Kings who are nipping at the heels of Calgary in the Eastern Conference standings, a match-up something players and fans from both cities along Highway 2 in the Wildrose Province are always excited about.
“They’re huge games and I think our team is pretty fired up for them. I don’t know if it’s out in the open yet but there’s been a little bit of Twitter beef going on about the Battle of Alberta which I think is heating everybody up. It’s going to be a great pair of games and it’s nice that we’ve been 3-0 against them so far this season and of course, we’d love to keep that going.”
Through December, the Hitmen take on the Oil Kings three times as well as a game against the Kamloops Blazers as part of a 12 game schedule, one of the busier months they’ve faced. But Driedger says, they’re not planning ahead too much, and just taking one game at a time and are focused on staying healthy.
“We’re all just trying to make sure we’re taking care of our bodies and after games we’re riding the bike and eating properly and it’s all just a big part of these busy schedules.”
With the holidays around the corner the 19-year-old is travelling home to Winnipeg, Manitoba to spend time with his family over Christmas and enjoy a visit with his grandparents before returning to Calgary. Like most this time of year, there are some treats he can’t ignore and staying healthy might be more of a challenge.
“The Advent calendar chocolate, I mean, how do you say no to that?” he laughs. “I have a pretty good one. I’ve got a couple Kinder Surprises in there and they keep me going.”
As for the Hitmen’s schedule, Driedger says enthusiastically, there are only positives that can come from having a busy month of games against tough opponents.
“I think it’s good for us because if you have a lot of games, it’s easier to get into a winning rhythm. I think that’s exactly what we’re going to look to do.”