Vipers are in unusual territory as favourites heading into playoffs
But team hasn’t ‘accomplished anything’ despite winning regular season title
The franchise’s first regular-season title in nearly a decade will make the LaSalle Vipers a target throughout the Western Conference playoffs in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
The Vipers carry the top seed into the quarter-finals for the first time since 2007-08 when the club played in Tecumseh. LaSalle will face the eighth-seeded Strathroy Rockets.
“We did get first, but we haven’t accomplished anything yet,” Vipers goalie Eli Billing said. “We’re kind of at a different position where we usually are.
“The last couple of years we didn’t finish in first, so we never really had a target on our back as much as we do this year. It’s kind of a different feeling going into the playoffs as the top dog.”
The opener of the best-of-seven series is Wednesday at the Vollmer Complex.
“It’s a different mindset, a different attitude,” Vipers head coach Bill Bowler said.
“People have been gunning for us all year and it won’t be any different in the playoffs.”
After dropping the first four games of the season, few might have expected the Vipers to land on top at the end of the regular season.
“No, but we knew we would be good,” Bowler said when asked if was surprised by finishing first overall. “We knew we had a good hockey club.
“Coaches talk about parity and how close it was (in the league). That’s why I’m so proud of first place and doing it over six months.”
After serving as the backup for the past two seasons, Billing is excited for the opportunity to assume the No. 1 role in the playoffs.
“I think I’ve learned a lot the last couple of years,” the 19-year-old said.
“My team’s made it easy to play the way I play. Full credit to the defence and the guys.”
Billing was named a Western Conference first-team all-star after posting a 27-11 record with a 2.56 goals-against average, a .915 save percentage and two shutouts in nearly 2,300 minutes of action. Teammate Liam MacDougall was also named a first-team all-star along with winning other top awards.
“There’s a trust there and we know what (Billing) can do,” Bowler said.
After watching from the bench the last two playoffs, Billing is looking forward to being in the heat of battle.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Billing said. “I have waited, but I’m ready now. We had a good season and it was a good team to break me in.”
While LaSalle swept all six meetings with Strathroy in the regular season, the Rockets played the Vipers tough. Four games were decided by a goal and two went to overtime. Bowler believes his team won’t lose focus.
“This next series will be over in 11 days. All Strathroy has to do is be the best team for 11 days,” Bowler said. “You’re worried about running into a hot goalie, an injury bug or sickness going through your locker-room, but everyone deals with that.
“We like our team and we like our chances.”