When boys just wanna have fun
Marner lightens up a little (on and off the ice) with assist from Martin
Hockey players at all levels often resort to the phrase “have fun” on the ice and away from it, especially when they are going through tough times.
But what does that mean? While it’s tough for a player to do for long stretches, given the competitive nature of the business, Mitch Marner of the Leafs gave an indication of what it means to him after Monday night’s 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings at the Air Canada Centre.
Bumped to the fourth line and pointless in four games, Marner got support from his parents and friends. He also received encouragement, as usual, from teammate and good buddy Matt Martin.
The result was his best game of the season, including two assists and a goal that was called back. He looked more like the player who found great success as a rookie last season — and was having fun on the ice again.
“Obviously, the first couple of games here (this season) didn’t go the way I wanted,” said Marner, who had the worst plus-minus among Leaf forwards heading into the game against the Kings.
“But just the support from the coaching staff, from my teammates and at home — I have a great support group. I tried to have fun, and you try to control the puck more and do more with it.”
After Saturday night’s loss in Ottawa, Marner said he talked about “anything but hockey” with his parents. At home and in need of a laugh — after the line change and a sluggish start with Martin and either Dominic Moore or Eric Fehr — he checked out Seth McFarlane’s new Star Trek spoof, The Orville.
He told reporters after the game Monday that he couldn’t remember the name of the show, but found it “pretty funny” all the same.
Before facing the Kings at the ACC, Marner told Martin that he was going to just be himself on the ice and work off Martin’s specialty: using his big body to cause havoc in front of the opposing net. Martin — an unsung factor in the Leafs’ success this season — often texts Marner on offdays with advice.
“I wasn’t playing the way I can, and (Monday) I felt I could use Marty’s scare tactics in front of the net to my advantage,” Marner said.
“I tried to keep my feet moving — and I’ve said his name a lot tonight, but Marty is so great for us, for me and for our team. There’s a lot of teams who do not like to play against him. And a lot of people don’t know the skill, what he brings to the line every night.
“He’s been like the ‘older guy on the fourth line’ type of guy, but he’s a dad type, too. And he was always, from day one, a big believer in me. When I’m alone at the condo, he’s the guy who texts me to see how I’m doing. He checks in . . . he’s been a big help to me, and when I’m on his line, I feel protected . . . He is a player who leads like that on the ice and in the room.”
Martin, of course, has shielded Marner since the 20 year old joined the Leafs last season.
Things like building Halloween costumes, only to have their respective girlfriends change things up, exemplifies how the “fun” part of being away from home trickles down to family and friends like Martin.
As for the fourth line, Marner has top-six forward skills. But his current role isn’t necessarily a demotion. Coach Mike Babcock has performed similar moves with defenceman Morgan Rielly and others in the past, easing the pressure until a player is ready to handle a bigger role.
“We talked to him (Monday),” Babcock said. “No one needs Mitch to be a star more than me, but you’ve got to earn your role. We’re all pulling for him and he wants it. It’s good to see him excited and loose with himself.” Martin and Marner reported hatched a plan for a joint Halloween costume before their girlfriends shot it down. Fun, it seems, is in the eye of the beholder. “Everyone knows me and Marty have this great friendship,” Marner said. “He keeps positive with me in practice, and you have to have fun on the ice.”