Badgers ‘buying in’ on and off the ice
Brock Women’s Hockey team enters 2018 ranked 10th in the nation
Two words go hand in hand with hockey these days: accountability and culture.
If it were up to Margot Page a third word, or phrase, would be added.
“Buy-in,” said Page, a former Team Canada player, and now head coach of the Brock women’s hockey team.
“It’s about buying in, on and off the ice.”
Accountability, buy-in and culture — it brings new meaning to the term ‘the ABC’s of hockey.’
And when you mention all three, as it pertains to the Brock Badgers women’s team, look no further than between the pipes. Third-year goaltender Jensen Murphy is easily one of the top-ranked and fundamentally and technically sound goaltenders you will ever see. The 5-foot-5 Kingston native currently sports a 1.52 goals against average and .952 save percentage in 14 games played.
Murphy’s 419 saves and nine wins on the season are tops in Ontario University Athletics (OUA).
“You know what? Every single part of her (Jensen’s) life is hard working and disciplined,” said Page, who played for Team Canada from 1989 to 1994.
“She is one of our captains, she just can’t wear a letter (because of being a goaltender) She’s everything to this team. In the classroom — she wants to be a doctor – she’s just that good in everything that she does.
“I can’t wait for her to be a doctor because no matter where she goes I’m going to be her patient,” said a chuckling Page. “Because I know I will get looked after, and I know she will not overlook anything, because she’s that detailed.”
While Page and the entire women’s hockey community is taking note of Murphy’s play in goal, the bench boss would like to see the team improve on three aspects of their game entering the second half of the season.
“Our defensive zone play needs to improve,” Page said. “Our power play, too. Even though we’re fourth in the OUA right now, our powerplay has been slipping a little bit. And our PK (penalty kill) at one point we were tops, and I think we’re down to fourth or fifth so we have to clean that up as well.”
Page was also quick to sing the praises of Beamsville’s Annie Berg.
Berg, the 2016-17 OUA rookie of the year, is second in team scoring with one goal and eight assists, but Page insists you have to look past the forward’s numbers.
“I don’t think people understand the role she (Berg) has this year,” Page said.
“She’s become one of the leaders of our team. I see her wearing a letter (captain or assistant) next year because she’s doing everything I ask of her without any sort of complaint. She’s very focused as a team player, and because of that it’s opened up the scoring for a lot of our other players.
“She’s one of our best penaltykillers, she’s our top draw person, she’s on our powerplay, I double-shift her, she’s in sick (top) shape, so I don’t think people realize that this year. She definitely deserves a special mention.
“Annie had all the accolades last season, but she’s a much better hockey player this year.”
The Badgers enter the new year with a 7-2-3-2 record, and are ranked 10th in the county.
“I have to be happy with our start to the season,” said Page. “We’re second in the OUA and ranked 10th in the nation, but our year is more than just the wins and losses and it’s about becoming championship-minded student athletes.”
That brings the Badgers back to ‘buy in,’ according to Page.
One of the team’s motto’s this year is: ‘We Are The Change,’ and that change starts with the coaching staff all the way down to the equipment manager.
“You come here (Brock), and I want you to leave as really good, confident, strong women with great life skills. So no matter what, you’re going to succeed,” Page said.
“It’s about accountability, and that’s from me all the way down or even above me. It’s being accountable from why you’re on, or involved, with the team. Everything that I’m doing, my staff is doing, and my players are doing is for a reason and that’s to make us better as a team and better individuals so when you leave here you can say I’m a better person for it.”
So when you hear a coach or player mention accountability and culture in the future, don’t forget about “buy in” — and the Brock Badgers women’s hockey team.
The Badgers next return to action at home on Jan. 20 against the Waterloo Warriors. Puck drop at the Seymour-Hannah Centre is set for 2:15 p.m.