Sanford embracing pressure to push Pats into playoffs
Veteran ‘came here to score goals and produce’ with linemate Steel
In one form or another, pressure has followed Cole Sanford for his entire WHL career.
It was a constant presence during his time with the Medicine Hat Tigers, who averaged 42 wins and reached at least the second round of the playoffs in each of the past three seasons.
Sanford has been dealing with a different kind of pressure since he joined the Regina Pats — a young team that’s trying to hold onto one of the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
Sanford was acquired on Jan. 10 to help Regina reach the postseason, thus providing a foundation for the team to build upon next season and beyond.
“There’s obviously pressure,” said the 20-year-old right winger, who’s in his final season of junior eligibility. “I came here to score goals and produce for this team, but I also came over to lead the younger guys. I just have to remember that (the puck) is not always going to go in.”
Sanford scored three goals in his first five games with the Pats, but was held without a point in the next four. That included his first game against his former team — a 5-1 win
Time helps everything. The more we play with each other, the better it’s going to get.
COLE SANFORD
over the Tigers.
“I thought I played really well and played a 200-foot game,” he said. “I just didn’t hit the scoresheet. When you have those games, you just have to build off it.” He did. Sanford broke out of his minislump just one night later, recording two goals and an assist in Regina’s 5-3 win over the Prince George Cougars.
The performance was accompanied by a sigh of relief.
“It obviously felt good,” said Sanford. “My goal was to shoot the puck a little more and try to be around the net.
“After I hit the post on a breakaway (early in the game), I was pretty frustrated. It definitely felt really good when I potted that first one.”
The Pats went out on a limb to acquire Sanford, who’s eager to prove he was worth the investment of prospect Gary Haden, veteran Brian Williams and three bantam draft picks (a second-rounder in 2018, third-rounder in 2016 and fifth-rounder in 2017).
Due to their position in the standings, the Pats were not expected to be among the bidders for an elite veteran player.
When they landed the former 50goal man, it upped the ante for the entire team.
It also put the spotlight on Sanford, who hopes to channel it in a positive way instead of letting it become a burden.
“I have a lot of pressure to perform and play well,” he said. “There’s always that pressure. But I try not to put extra pressure on myself.”
As a WHL veteran, Sanford understands that a certain amount of patience is required when joining a new team. Since he arrived in Regina, Sanford has made it clear that it would take some time to build chemistry with young centre Sam Steel.
The duo has now been together for 10 games with left-winger Sean Richards joining them for the past six.
“It’s coming,” said Sanford. “Time helps everything. The more we play with each other, the better it’s going to get.”
Note: Details from Friday’s game between the Pats and the host Prince Albert Raiders can be found at leaderpost.com. The Pats are back on home ice Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Brandon Wheat Kings.