TAMING LIONS A BIG CHALLENGE
York stands between Windsor and berth in the Ontario universities’ Queen’s Cup finals
The Windsor Lancers rode goalie Parker Van Buskirk to a Queen’s Cup title in 2014.
Three years later, second-year goalie Blake Richard is performing much like Van Buskirk for the Lancers, who are now one series away from the Queen’s Cup.
The Lancers open the OUA West Division men’s hockey final on Wednesday against the York Lions at South Windsor Arena. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
“He’s in a zone,” Lancers head coach Kevin Hamlin said of Richard.
“Last time we went on a run like this, we got much the same from Parker.”
Richard was humbled by Hamlin’s comparison to Van Buskirk.
“Even being recruited, I heard a lot about him and I even did some research on him,” Richard said of Van Buskirk. “He did a lot for this organization, so it was pretty cool to see.”
But the numbers don’t lie. Against top-seeded Ryerson, which averaged nearly five goals a game in the regular season, Richard yielded just three goals in two games while stopping 73-of-76 shots for a .961 save percentage.
“A lot of people are showing love to me, but they’re all team wins,” Richard said. “Everyone’s doing their job. It just so happens I’m doing my job.”
Statistically, the 23-year-old Richard had a better freshman season with the Lancers than he did as a sophomore. He posted a 2.66 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage a year ago. This season, his average jumped to 3.42 in 15 games with a .901 save percentage.
“It is an adjustment,” said Richard, who spent time with Niagara and Kingston in the Ontario Hockey League. “Guys are older and more mature. You’re playing with men and shots are a bit harder.”
Kris Joyce actually played more games than Richard in the regular season, but Richard got the start for the playoffs when Joyce went home to deal with a death in the family.
“We’re really happy with all three of our guys,” said Hamlin, who has Paolo Battisti backing up Richard. “Hopefully, (Joyce) rejoins the team.”
But Richard did not doubt his abilities when Hamlin turned to him to start the playoffs.
“Confidence has never been a problem for me,” said Richard, who has a 1.72 goals-against average, a .955 save percentage and one shutout in five playoff games this season.
“Once you get one good game under your belt, it helps you and you gain more and more confidence. I think I’m at the top of my game right now and I’m looking forward to the next series.”
York finished in second place behind Ryerson in the West Division. Unlike Ryerson, which beat Windsor 9-1 in one game during the regular season, the two teams split two regular-season games.
“Going into the final, our coaches have been there before and we have players that have been there before,” said Richard, whose team is the sixth seed facing the second-seeded Lions. “It’s another team with a lot of skill, good goaltending, good defence and well-coached. It’s a pretty close matchup and the better team will win, but I think everyone’s confident.”
He’s in a zone. Last time we went on a run like this, we got much the same from Parker.