As the Winterhawks wrap up their six-game Central Division journey tonight against Kootenay, you almost have to wonder: is tonight a trap game? After all, everyone is looking forward to getting home, they’re assured of being no worse than 3-3 on this trip, and Kootenay has struggled so far this season.
On paper it looks like it could be, but don’t count on it.
Based on the first 15 games of the season, the evidence suggests this isn’t a team prone to mental lapses or poor preparation. Consider how this team has played in games after a loss:
Loss: Sept. 25 @ Tri-Cities; Next game: 6-1 win over Seattle
Loss: Oct. 9 @ Tri-Cities; Next game: 8-3 win over Prince Albert
Loss: Oct. 11 @ Everett; Next game: 5-2 win at Edmonton following two days on the bus
Loss: Oct. 16 @ Red Deer; Next game: Took the first-place Calgary Hitmen down to the wire before dropping a heartbreaker
Loss: Oct. 18 @ Calgary; Next game: Overcame three-goal deficit to beat Medicine Hat
Obviously, they’re not coming into tonight’s game following a loss, having beaten Lethbridge Wednesday night, but bouncing back from losses is the sign of a well-prepared team, and so far the Winterhawks have done quite well for themselves after each defeat.
Expect the Hawks to take this game as seriously as they took the previous five on this trip. Even though 3-3 would make for a perfectly reasonable finish on this trip, 4-2 would set a high benchmark for the other U.S. teams to have to reach on their Central Division swings.
And really, isn’t it nice that the Winterhawks can be considered a pacesetter?
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