OT WINNER ENDS DROUGHT
Pats bullish on Dubinsky’s potential
For a while, Cole Dubinsky seemed as if he was showing up everywhere but on the score sheet.
The Regina Pats’ high-energy forward created havoc all over the ice Sunday in his team’s 4-3 win over the Saskatoon Blades.
Although he failed to take advantage of several Grade A chances, Dubinsky was on target when it mattered most, burying the OT winner with a nice shot from point-blank range.
“He was great with the puck and he played hard,” said head coach Dave Struch. “There was a reason he was out there in overtime. He’s usually not because of other reasons. If he does things the right way and listens to his coaches and teammates, he’ll get more opportunities.”
The overtime goal was a big one for Dubinsky, who snapped a personal 11-game scoreless drought. It was just his third goal of the season, but it provided a healthy dose of positive reinforcement.
“To get a little monkey off my back felt really good,” he said. “I’m just going to keep trying to play my game. That’s all I can do. I try not to overthink the game and just keep it simple and play my way — do whatever it takes to help our team win.”
At age 17, Dubinsky is still learning how to succeed on a consistent basis.
Case in point: The second-year WHLER wove his way into several prime scoring opportunities against Saskatoon, but he didn’t record a single shot on goal until the overtime winner — due in part to some overhandling of the puck.
“He has lots of skill but he doesn’t have to use all the flash all the time,” Struch explained. “Sometimes you have to make a pass to get a pass back to score a goal. Or you have to shoot the puck from the top of the circles. Shoot the puck into the net, don’t try to stickhandle it into the net.”
Dubinsky’s exuberance can lead to frustrating mistakes, but Struch has also seen flashes of “what kind of player he can be” due to a unique blend of speed, skill and tenacity.
Any tough love he endures is all about helping Dubinsky realize his potential.
“He’s a great kid,” Struch said. “We love him. He’s fun to be around. He’s really intense. When he plays the right way, he has an impact on the game positively. You know he’s going to be involved one way or another. (On Sunday) it was a real positive.”
Despite some ups and downs, Dubinsky is showing signs of becoming a more consistent performer. He has eight points in 15 games since the Christmas break after notching just six in 25 firsthalf contests.
“It’s nice to get a little confidence going,” he said. “I can’t say I wasn’t confident (before) as an excuse, but when you are feeling good the game seems a little slower. It comes a little easier. It’s just being comfortable on the ice and being able to make plays.”
Regardless of the numbers, Dubinsky’s on-ice performance has been more conspicuous in the second half. The 5-foot-10, 168-pound spitfire loves to stir the pot, which can be an indication of him being engaged and playing his best.
“I like to be in all the scrums and making some hits and getting involved in the game (physically),” Dubinsky added. “I’ve always been like that. I like to play a little tougher game even though I’m not the biggest guy. For sure I’m playing good when I’m involved in a little bit of everything.”