‘Everyone is excited’
Deer Lake Red Wings get shot at redemption in Herder finals
This weekend at the CBS Arena, the Deer Lake Red Wings get a chance at a bit of redemption.
The Red Wings, as the Central West Senior Hockey League (CWSHL) champions, start their chase of the Herder Memorial Trophy against the Avalon East Senior Hockey League (AESHL) champs, the St. John’s Senior Capitals.
Deer Lake came up short last season against the Southern Shore Breakers and is hoping to rectify that this time around.
“Most of us had that taste last year,” said goaltender Billy Clarke. “It’s a good group in the room and everyone kind of has a better idea after last year. Everyone is excited and we’re just hoping the result is a little better.”
Last season, the Red Wings returned to senior hockey after a couple of years off. It was their first trip back to the Herder final since 2008.
That bit of the unknown for the players didn’t help them in their defeat to the Breakers.
With another year under their belt, Clarke said, his team has a better understanding of what to expect this time around.
“We’re more comfortable and understand what we’re getting into out there compared to last year,” he said. “We kind of went in head first. We didn’t really know what was going on. I think we’re a little more prepared and we have a closer group.”
BETTER LEAGUE
Helping with that preparation has been the improvement of Deer Lake’s competition on the west coast. This year, Deer Lake battled Stephenville, Corner Brook and the returning Grand Falls-windsor Cataracts in the CWSHL.
Not only did it give them a third team to play, but they also played six more games.
Clarke says that puts them in a better position this time around.
“Teams were definitely better this year and, plus, I think we got 18 games this year compared to 12 games last year,” he said. “We had better competition going into the Herder and we had more games under our belt, which helped us as a team.”
SCOUTING THEIR OPPONENTS
Standing between the Red Wings and the trophy they covet is a Capitals team hungry for their first Herder since 1990.
Clarke knows they’ve got a skilled team, and he’s been hunting for any information he can to get a better idea of what his team is going to face.
“Everyone knows everyone pretty well in the hockey circuit here in Newfoundland,” said Clarke. “I’m sure there’s conversations going on around where we’re trying to figure out each other’s teams and I’m sure they’re doing it to us.”
Any intelligence gathered will be put to use on Friday when the best-of-seven series gets underway.
The Red Wings’ game plan is simple.
“We understand they’re fast and skilled, so it’s eliminating their time and space, getting up on them quick and having a lot more urgency,” said Clarke. “We’ve got to outwork them. That’s it at the end of the day.”