Bennett keen to end latest scoring drought
It’s mid-January, Sam Bennett’s been snake-bitten and the Florida Panthers are next on the dance-card at the Saddledome. Sound familiar? The Calgary Flames’ up-and-comer had just snapped out of an 18-game funk when the Cats came calling on Jan. 13, 2016, a night that will long be remembered for Bennett’s historic four-goal outburst.
Currently sweating through a nine-game dry-spell, the streaky centre could certainly use another pick-me-up as the Panthers return Tuesday for their annual visit.
“Obviously, thinking about those moments is a great way to get your confidence up,” Bennett said after Monday’s practice at the Saddledome. “I know I can do that. I’ve done it before. I think it’s just a matter of just mentally getting through it and knowing eventually things are going to turn around.”
Yes, Bennett is again talking turnaround.
His nine-game outage is peanuts compared to 18 straight skates without a goal, but an extended struggle of any sort is a storyline the 20-year-old would rather avoid.
“Last year, definitely, it was a new thing for me — I wasn’t used to being in big scoring slumps,” Bennett said.
“Now, I know that everyone goes through it. It’s part of this league. It’s a great league and that happens to everyone. Just knowing that definitely makes me feel better about it.”
Of course, a marker would improve his mood.
And with this kid, one strike can snowball in a hurry.
Just over a year ago, he ended his lengthy scoring drought with a confidence-booster against the San Jose Sharks. Two nights later