Showing posts with label Dave Hakstol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dave Hakstol. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

Interesting Head Coach Contrast: Alain Vigneault and Dave Hakstol

The expansion Seattle Kraken's early-season appearance allowed an interesting glimpse at the contrasting in-game and post-game presser styles between current Philadelphia Flyers head coach Alain Vigneault and former head coach Dave Hakstol. 

Of course, Hakstol is Seattle's first-ever bench boss, with the appearance in Philadelphia serving as Seattle's fourth game in its inaugural season. 

The following is provided courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers Public Relations Department...

Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach Alain Vigneault

Obviously it’s still early in the season, but is this kind of like a road map of how you want this particular team to play?

Well I definitely liked a lot of things about tonight's game, again in our start we made two major mistakes and we got two big saves right off the hub. A breakaway, a tip, and not two but three great saves, and then the one where Carter just threw himself. I mean that’s basically the difference of whether they score and they get a little confidence and a little more energy.  If they don’t score, they come right back and the next 10 minutes we’re in their zone and we score three. That was not the whole game there, but without a doubt it set us in the right direction.

 

What does it do for a team when a guy sticks up for his teammates? 

I mean, any team that has success in this league has got that ”'I’ve got your back” mentality, and there’s no doubt that everyone had their back, from Seels doing what he had to do, to Tommer, I mean that’s a tight knit group and that’s what you need to have to have success. 

 

Going back to the first period, is that the difference between that game on Friday and this one where you’ve got a lot of good play, dominant play in the first period, but you don’t get much you get the one goal, then this time you get 3?

Yeah I mean, two different games because in the one on Friday, in my estimation, we got in a lot of trouble in the second period. Tonight, we got those big saves right off the hop.  Carter was tested. He wasn’t tested last game really in that first period. He was tested, made the saves, gave confidence to our group, we scored, and in the second period we were able to get two early there. It’s a tough league but to come back from 5 is very challenging and our guys were playing well and I thought we played well for the whole game. 

 

How did you assess the penalty kill tonight? 

We didn’t give up much. Our guys obviously have been spending a lot of time, Mike Yeo has been spending a lot of time with our group there that we used to kill penalties tonight. Confident that it’s going to be a confidence builder for our group and we’re going to need to continue.

 

Alain, did that fight from Seeler really tell you a lot about him?

Right now in our group he’s our seventh defenseman.  He usually plays maybe 50 games or more, so he’s going to play for us. Our scouts and our management knew what we were getting. He didn’t play last year, but they identified him exactly how he is. A very good skater, plays the game hard, stands up for himself and his teammates, and that’s exactly what we’ve seen so far. 

Seattle Kraken Head Coach Dave Hakstol

There were many scoring chances and after that the team didn’t really much look like the team we have seen in the first three games. I am wondering what you saw from the bench with regards to their energy level and the chances they had after those.

We had a really competitive start in the first ten minutes and we did have a couple of good scoring chances. Like I said we had a good competitive start and we gave up our first goal from 200 feet away which was a theme tonight on probably four of their goals. We got beat up. After that first goal we got back on our heels and we really didn’t regain any consistent push.

Was it a matter of effort or just overall energy?

There are a lot of things it looks like. We were out of sync. We couldn’t put ourselves back on the right track. That is the end result

Was it a tough decision at all to pull Grubauer and make that change?

No, and you know what if I had a do over I would have gotten him out of there one sooner, so no. Not indicative of his play whatsoever. He has played a lot of hockey for us and he has been outstanding.

The guys we just spoke to earlier they were saying the things that have been normal staples of our game: communication, forechecking and all those things weren’t there for us tonight. When you hear your players being that self-aware what does that tell you going forward? Not much really needs to be said on your end or how do you asses that?

That’s a positive thing there is an understanding of that. We have to look at it and we obviously don’t have a lot of time, but we will look at those things and we have to get back into our game really quickly. There is a dropped puck 20 hours from now in New Jersey. I look at the goals we gave up and like I said there were at least four of them from at least 150 feet away that began through a turnover or some other type of play up ice and then those plays ended up in the back of the net.  Those are things that absolutely can’t happen.

There is the context that this is a group still trying to figure things out I mean this is only game 4 of the season, game 4 of your whole existence do you think about that context or do you not think about that context?

I think of the perspective that we have a job to do and that’s what we are here to do and tonight we didn’t do that. You have to turn the page quickly yet you still have to take what we can from this game here tonight. Can’t just wipe it off the slate you have to take the lessons out of it. If there is a growth opportunity for our team we have to grab it and most importantly we have got to be a better hockey team tomorrow night.

Monday, December 17, 2018

Philadelphia Flyers' Era Shift - Dave Hakstol Departs, Cart Hart Arrives


This isn't what Ron Hextall, or Dave Hakstol projected a little less than one week before Christmas, 2018. Both men, now equally relieved of their orange and black duties, have taken the fall while the players remain, or at least those goalies who are healthy.

Who would have bet heavy that Michal Neuvirth would still be employed, and that Carter Hart would be recalled, while Hextall and Hakstol were looking for work?

Scott Gordon is a good, potentially temporary choice as the Flyers interim coach. The Lehigh Valley Phantoms fourth-year chief knows the organIzation and many of its young players, including Hart, who could be a short-term recall, meaning as short as one game. He could also stick longer, depending upon existing goalie(s), or a to-be-obtained netminder.

Chuck Fletcher has done what he felt he had too, just as Paul Holmgren did a few weeks ago. And now the team goes on.

Another lost season, as the always elusive third Stanley Cup won't be won this June? Probably. But what else can fans gone wobbly in recent weeks, months, seasons do except hope that their team improves, ever...so...slowly, if that what it is to do from this point on.
(Hakstol via my own photo. Hart, via the LHV Phantoms.)


Flyers press release regarding Hakstol and Gordon: 
The Philadelphia Flyers have relieved head coach Dave Hakstol of his duties and have named Scott Gordon the interim head coach of the team, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Chuck Fletcher.

Gordon is in his fourth season as the head coach of the Flyers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He was named to the position on July 13, 2015. In 254 games with the Phantoms, Gordon has a record of 144-86-15. He led the club back to the playoffs in 2017 after a seven-season absence, and in 2018 guided the Phantoms to the AHL’s Eastern Conference Finals.

Gordon was the head coach of the New York Islanders for parts of three seasons (2008-09 to 2010-11), and also served as the head coach of the Providence Bruins, the AHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins, from 2002-2008 after working as an assistant there for two seasons.  Gordon’s 2004-05 team reached the AHL’s Eastern Conference Finals, where it lost to the then-Philadelphia Phantoms, the eventual Calder Cup champion that season. His 2007-08 team finished with the AHL’s best regular-season record in that campaign, going 55-18-7.

Prior to joining the Phantoms, Gordon was an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2011-2014. He also has head coaching experience in the ECHL with Roanoke (1998-2000) and was an assistant coach in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (Quebec, 1996-98) and the International Hockey League (Atlanta, 1994-96).

Hakstol was in his fourth season as the head coach of the Flyers after being hired on May 18, 2015. He posted a record of 134-101-42 in 277 games.

Flyers press release regarding Hart: 
The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled goaltender Carter Hart from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms; have reassigned goaltender Alex Lyon to Lehigh Valley; and have placed goaltender Anthony Stolarz on injured reserve, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Chuck Fletcher. Hart will be available for Tuesday night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, wearing #79. 

Hart, 20 (8/13/1998), is in his first professional season. He’s appeared in 17 games for the Phantoms, posting a record of 9-5-2 with a 3.05 GAA and a .901 save percentage. Hart has won four of his last five games, going 4-1 with a 1.80 GAA, .939 save percentage and one shutout since November 30.

A 6-2, 181-lb native of Sherwood Park, Alberta, Hart turned pro this season following a five-year career with the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League, where he became the first two-time winner of the Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Year Award.  Hart first earned the honors following the 2016-17 season when he was 32-11-2 with a 1.99 GAA and .927 save percentage in 54 appearances. He improved upon those numbers in winning the award last season, posting a 31-6-3 record with a 1.60 GAA and .947 save percentage in 41 games while guiding the Silvertips to the WHL final for only the second time in the franchise’s history.

Hart was a member of Team Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championships in both 2017 and 2018. He played in four games in 2017, helping Canada to the silver medal with a 2.38 GAA and .906 save percentage.  In 2018, Hart posted a 1.81 GAA and .930 save percentage in six games to help Team Canada win the gold medal. 

Hart was selected by the Flyers in the second round (48th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
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I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook and connecting on Twitter @SeanyOB.

Monday, November 26, 2018

Ron Hextall's Firing - Philadelphia Flyers' Next Steps Await



Ron Hextall's firing was surprising, but not truly a stunner when the news is peeled and depending upon one's perspective.

If Philadelphia Flyers' followers have been questioning head coach Dave Hakstol this season, or in recent seasons, they also know who hired him.

If issues about the team's ongoing goaltending problems have been chewed at length, again, fans know who approved of Brian Elliott's contract and that of Michal Neuvirth's.

If orange and black devotees believe that the team doesn't have enough talent on its NHL roster, or that said prospects aren't available to fill holes, they also know who made those forward, defense, and goaltending calls.

Fans also understand that Hextall guided the organization to positive salary cap territory. That, along with a series of obtained draft picks, provided a good hand to whatever GM is hired next.

President Paul Holmgren's thoughts, via the team's press release on the day of Hextall's termination was as follows, "The Flyers organization has decided to relieve Ron Hextall of his duties as Executive Vice President and General Manager. We thank Ron for his many significant contributions, but it has become clear that we no longer share the same philosophical approach concerning the direction of the team. In light of these differences, we feel it's in the organization's best interests to make a change, effective immediately. I have already begun a process to identify and select our next General Manager, which we hope to complete as soon as possible."
(Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Flyers.)
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My own experience in interviewing Hextall was pleasant. The arguably second-greatest goaltender in team history, trailing only Hall of Famer Bernie Parent, was up front, honest, and reflective.

Rather than offer any detailed take on what's happened, I'll instead choose to observe what happens during the remainder of this season and in the next few years. Yes, that's not standard in an age where people's instant (often emotionally-based) reactions are encouraged and perceived as some type of right. My take reflects my principals and allows all involved parties to be offered respect for efforts and decisions made.

I look forward to becoming friends on Facebook and connecting on Twitter @SeanyOB.

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Inside Access: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Winnipeg Jets

Pregame



Philadelphia Flyers vs. Winnipeg Jets
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
March 10, 2018
Game Time – 1 p.m.


The Philadelphia Flyers (34-23-11, 79 points) entered the game in third place in the Eastern Conference's Metropolitan Division. The Winnipeg Jets (41-17-9, 91 points) were in second place in the Western Conference's Pacific Division.

The Flyers were on a five game winless streak, going 0-4-1 during that time. Winnipeg beat Philadelphia 3-2 in a shootout at home earlier this season (November 16, 2017).

The next generation of Flyers' fans were scheduled to be celebrated throughout the game during Kids Day.

On a personal note...It's always great to speak with a wide variety of people whenever I have the opportunity to work as a credentialed member of the media. Today, I had the unexpected pleasure of eating lunch with an intelligent and warm-hearted man who handles transportation for the Flyers (and for Philadelphia's three other major sports franchises). Al's positive outlook on life was inspirational. It was easy to see why he's been successful and is so well regarded, as many people stopped by our table to say hello to him during our conversation.

After lunch I went to the press level, where I spoke with Mark before the game started. A handful of years ago this NHL scout was gracious enough to speak with me and a few young freelancers who I asked to join us between periods. His father, Gordie, was with us that day as well.

Two similar character traits that Al and Mark shared were eye contact and discussion of family pride. Both men made eye contact with me throughout our conversations, affirming their honesty. The earnest nature in which they spoke about their family members was also evident.

Countless moments in life are subjective. Al and Mark have been and will, in my opinion, remain successful in their lives because of the manner in which they interact with nondescript people, like myself.

The last names of the men I spoke to today weren't used, but many people in the Wells Fargo Center know who both people are. Hockey fans around the world also know who Mark is and who his father was.

First Period

Petr Mrazek started in goal for Philadelphia. Connor Hellebuyck was in net for Winnipeg.

(Petr Mrazek)

No noteworthy action through the first half-plus of the period. With 8:57 remaining, the Flyers had outshot the Jets 8-4. By the end of the frame the shots were 11-9 in Philly's favor.

The Jets' Dustin Byfuglien was the only man who served time in the penalty box (tripping, called at 8:56) in this period. The Flyers were unable to score during that time.

Second Period

An early power play nearly turned disastrous for the Flyers, as the short-handed Jets broke up ice on a three-on-one. Mrazek held his ground and made a save on a close range shot.

Matt Read had one of the better scoring chances of the game when he swiped the puck at the Jets blue line and went in on a mini-breakaway, but couldn't put it past Hellebuyck.

There had been more motion through the first 4:22 of this period than there had been in the entire first period.

(Claude Giroux)

Working in the offensive zone after a Jets penalty was called, Giroux buried a wrist shot (his twenty-fourth of the season) to give the Flyers the lead at 5:40. Assists to Valtteri Filppula and Wayne Simmonds.

(The Hometown Hero segment during this period served as another reminder that freedom isn't free, as a local man was honored for his military service while the crowd cheered and U.S.A. chants followed.)

(Andrew MacDonald)

An odd goal was scored. Awhile after Andrew MacDonald (fifth) broke the goal line, on a shot that quickly bounced in-and-out on the side netting, Nolan Patrick and Jakub Voracek were credited with assists.

The goal actually occurred at 8:01, but wasn't credited until play had stopped with nearly nine minutes having elapsed. A review was conducted and the goal was credited. Kudos to the official's consideration and modern video technology.

Shots stood at 26-20, in the Flyers' favor, two-thirds of the way through the game, as a two-goal lead showed on the scoreboard.

Third Period

An early-period penalty to Radko Gudas (delay of the game) was killed off. That penalty kill, in particular, reinforced the fact that the team was reverting to its proactive demeanor, which had been spotty during the recent four-game losing streak played out. While the team hadn't panicked, it's play was sloppy at times.

Travis Konecny's penalty (8:26, tripping) resulted in Winnipeg's first goal at 8:58. A hard slap shot over Mrazek's shoulder, by Patrik Laine (fortieth), was set up by Blake Wheeler and Paul Stastny.

(Travis Konecny)

As the game wound down it was evident that the Flyers wanted to secure the victory. Hakstol's squad wasn't laying back. Winnipeg pulled its goalie with approximately a minute to go, but to no avail.

The Final: Flyers 2 – Jets 1.

Postgame Quotes

Responses to media questions after the game:


Philadelphia Flyers  Head Coach  Dave Hakstol

(Dave Hakstol - Postgame Presser)

Is your lack of power play production a little bit concerning in this point of the season?
The stats say 0 for 2. We actually got a big goal in this game with the extra attacker and the goalie pulled. So yeah you can stretch it one way or another whichever you like. We had some good things on the PP tonight. On the two opportunities, the full opportunities we did have obviously we didn’t get one. We got to give other teams PK’s a little bit of credit as well. They’ve done a good job. We have full confidence in our group in our PK and our power play.”

Did Travis Sanheim look any different to you today than when you last saw him two months ago?
He just looked like a guy who got his game back a little bit and that’s the benefit of being able to go down and play strong minutes down there in different situations. That’s all a credit to him. It’s all how you handle the assignment going back there. He dug in immediately from what I am told from day one and played extremely well right from the start down there. Like I said it just looks like a guy who absolutely has his game back. He is a good player for us tonight and he helped us win.”

Konecny’s his game kind of carries on the edge a little bit. It seems like he gets motivation out of that and so forth. When he steps out and commits a penalty like that is it just something that you have to remind him to keep things under control?
It’s all the situation. TK is a huge part of our team. That energy that he plays with he’s always got to be on the line. The tough part this time of year is navigating and not going over that line and tonight the penalty was obviously not good timing. That can’t happen and he knows that. Like I said he is a huge part of our team and unfortunately we didn’t get the kill on that one but this time of year little things make a difference. So I don’t want TK to change his game at all. There are a couple little adjustments he has to make in the third period nothing more.”

When you talk to him later and you tell him you don’t want him to change his game but at the same time he has to develop a recognition of the situation…
I won’t get into my conversation with him a whole lot. There are a lot of those conversations that go on with individual players. I guess you guys beat me into the room tonight. So that’s just how it is. I don’t want to get into it too much in terms of what I talked about. Obviously one of the things you guys are focused on the penalty he took. There are just little parts of the game this time of the year get ramped up and it’s not just him. It’s our entire team. There are things out of this game that we can take and hopefully build and get better from.”

As much as things came together in Boston you thought the team game improved. How much did you need that result to kind of get guys going a little bit too?
Well you got to get the result to just really hold that energy. You need to get that result. It’s deflating when you play hard. We played hard in Boston and there are some things we could have done better and like I said we tried to address those and clean them up. We came back today and we played really hard. When you get the result it is a lot easier to carry that energy and that positive energy as you go forward. It doesn’t mean there aren’t things out of this game that we have to clean up because there is. So we will do that. We will address that. We needed the two points. Just looking at the standings we needed it. It was a good win for us to get headed in the right direction not just having good efforts.”

Mrazek didn’t play Thursday. Friday was a full day off the ice. Do you think he looked like a more rested guy?
I don’t think he was wearing down. I didn’t see any of that in there or at practice. I didn’t see any fatigue really in his game but he was sharp tonight. He did his job and that’s what we need everyone on our roster to do is go out and do the job and he did that tonight.”

Finally Toronto helps you instead of hurts you.
Yeah that’s the first time I think I have seen that situation but before our guys went back they radioed that they thought it was in.”

Lehtera wasn’t playing nearly as well as he played today. What did you see in him that makes him a good option for fourth line?
He does so many good little things. I said it the other day. He just goes out and does his job every single day. His game is becoming more and more effective it seems like every game. I thought tonight he was an effective player. He has an ability. He is very detailed no matter the number of minutes he plays. No matter if it’s five on five or a little bit of PK, or full blown PK which he has been for us as of late. Guys like that in the dressing room and on the bench are invaluable. They go out onto the ice and do everything right and that helps build the confidence of your team.”

Even though the results haven’t been there yet for Oskar Lindblom as far as points. Are you seeing him continue to pay strong attention to other details? Even the scoring chances themselves.
Yeah absolutely, especially when you look back at Boston and you start thinking when is one going to go in for this young guy. Sometimes you start to see young guys start to squeeze it a little bit if they don’t score. You don’t see that in Oskar. He just continues to do things the right way and this time of year it’s about winning your puck battles. Making good smart plays with the puck. Being in spots where you are going to get good offensive opportunities and going to the hard areas and he does all of those things. So he is going to get one soon enough and until he does he continues to be good and strong player for us.”

Dave how pleased were you with the PK especially with a team like that?
It was good. It starts with a couple of the first face offs with G winning the draw. Not just winning the draw but getting the puck two hundred feet. That sets the momentum in your direction. We did a good job. They got one of the most lethal guys obviously in the league. We made one mistake and he got one shot off and that is the result. I thought overall collectively throughout the game the PK was outstanding.”

Philadelphia Flyers C Travis Konecny

The shift you had at the end of the second period, what was going through mind when you got decked and you got up and got [Patrik] Laine?
Yeah I was just frustrated because I think on the play my stick broke and then I got hit so I just reacted, I wasn’t necessarily targeting anybody specific, but he just happened to have the puck so I made a strong play on him.

Coach spoke to you for a while here, was he just reminding you?
That’s just between him and I, not gonna comment.

A lot of good things were done in the Boston game despite the disappointing outcome, did you feel you kind of built on that 60 minute effort into today?
Yeah for sure, I think we can take a lot of positives from today I think we played a really good game, other than when I took that penalty there and they had to go on the power play we didn’t give them very much. We played a pretty tight game tonight and played simple and it paid off for us so I think we just keep building off this.

Did Travis Sanheim look like a different player to you than what you saw last time he was here?
Well he definitely had some confidence and some swagger today, I’ve seen it out of Sanny before he’s played like that plenty of times, but he had some confidence today and he looked good.

You guys said you played tight, Petr was there to kind of support you guys in case anything went through, can you talk about how the goalie played today?
I think it’s pretty self-explanatory, he stood on his head for us tonight, he made a couple of incredible glove saves on some key players on the other side and a big part of why we’ve been in a lot of these games, our goaltending’s been keeping us around and he played well tonight.

You’ve had such a long stretch of success on that top line, is there such a thing as being too loose, getting into taking a couple of those penalties?
No, I don’t think I played perfect every night, just I don’t know he stepped on my stick it’s not like it’s too loose it’s just a fluke thing.

Philadelphia Flyers D Travis Sanheim

(Travis Sandheim)

How’d you feel?
I felt good.”

Tough scenario to come back into?
For sure, they are a good team too. Playing with Macker gave me a lot of confidence, we communicated pretty well and I felt good.”

How important was it to keep a positive attitude? You’ve got good numbers up there?
I think that’s the biggest thing when I went down, I wanted to continue to keep that confidence when I came up here. Like I said, I felt pretty good out there.”

When you’re with the Phantoms and even today, it looked like you were taking plays where you were breaking up plays in the neutral zone, defensive zone and turning it the other way turning defense into offense. Is that something you maybe wanted to tighten up and get back to?
Yeah, I think so. I think having a good gap and having a good stick and being aggressive when the right circumstances come. Tonight I broke up a few plays and then turned it and went the other way. I want to continue to keep that in my game.”

Travis, do you feel any different from the last time you were here? Confident?
Yeah, I think going down there gives me the confidence of playing a lot of minutes down there and coming back up. Just knowing that I can play at this level and not having to worry about it that early on.”

With how big the gap was from January to now, were there nerves, did it feel like your first game in LA again?
There were definitely some nerves. I was just excited to be back with this group, it felt so familiar. Spending half a year here with the guys, it didn’t take long to adjust.”

How much do you want to make this more than just an injury call up to prove that you belong here?
Obviously, when I went down I wanted to get that next opportunity. It’s unfortunate with the injuries, but I got a chance here to take advantage of the opportunity. I’m going to just keep going with it.”

Philadelphia Flyers Defenseman Andrew MacDonald

Andrew, after the last game ended in Boston when you’re in a tight situation in the third does that kind of reinforce the point today?

I mean, we’ve been in close games throughout the season, I think we can draw from those. We’ve played well in those situations at times through the year and we knew the importance of today’s game.  We recognized we were playing strong and just to continue with it we did a great job without a thought.

What point did you realize your shot went in?

I didn’t know, I was actually more mad because I missed it on the rebound after it came out of his glove, I thought I should have had that one and then I went to the bench and G mentioned that it was in and within seconds they blew the horn so its obviously a nice feeling to be able to chip in like that.

How big was this win today after the past few games?

It was pretty good, I thought that we’ve played well especially that Boston game.  But it’s a tough way to lose that late in the game like that but you certainly don’t want to let games pile up the wrong way against you especially at this time in the year the way our race is going so for us to be able to come in tonight and have a nice complete game, I thought it was really big.

I know Peter Mrazek might have won, but you have to be pretty impressed with the upper hand tonight.

Yeah he was awesome, did a great job with tracking the puck really well and they have a lot of weapons over there. It’s a big team, a lot of traffic, he fought through. Just an all around great performance by him.

Overall, does it feel like the penalty kills are starting to settle in?

Yeah,  the numbers don’t really indicate it but I think we’re aware of what we need to be doing, we addressed a lot of things throughout the year and I thought the last little bit we’ve done a nice job, we have given up a few goals here and there but I think it’s come a long way.

What did you think of Travis Sanheim coming back in?

I thought he was great, right from the first shift he was aggressive, he made some really nice stick plays in the neutral zone and broke up some plays. Sent their guys in on great transition plays, I think he made that nice stretch pass from behind our net right away and you could tell he was feeling comfortable and confident and I said earlier that’s a heck of a way to come back in. it’s not an easy situation that we lost the last five to be put into a situation like that but I think throughout the game he did a tremendous job and was really strong.

Did he look like a different player at all from what you saw in January?

I think he just seems confident. I think he had a lot of playing time in Lehigh and you could tell he felt good today making plays and stepping up with his stick, skating really well and it was great to see him, we’re going to need him

Philadelphia Flyers RW Claude Giroux

How badly was that win needed?
Yeah it was we had a tough stretch and we couldn’t find ways to win and it was a good test for us, Winnipeg are a pretty good team and I think we played a responsible game tonight.

You played pretty well against Boston too.  Obviously sour last minute, does that get into guys heads today when you’re in a tight game, tight situation last minute everything’s gotta be locked down a little bit more.
Yeah, but I think after Boston we got together, we talked about it, and we can’t let it phase us, we knew we played a good game in Boston, we put ourselves in a great position at the end to get at least one point and they got that lucky goal. We moved on and hopefully a game like this can get us going.

Is that something that could’ve manifested into guys heads and turned things even further south?
Could’ve, but I think we’ve done a good job this year when it doesn’t go our way we get our stuff together and we just play better.

What did you think of Travis Sanheim after stepping in first game here in almost two months?
Yeah he played a pretty good game, I think it’s his best game with us he’s moving the puck well, played a lot of good plays defensively and I was very impressed by his play tonight.

Goaltending, you guys are pretty tight in front of him, but he was there to clean up pretty much anything that got through, talk about his play tonight.
Yeah he played great it looked like he played with a lot of confidence tonight, anytime [Patrik] Laine had a shot from the side he made that save look pretty easy, but that wasn’t an easy save so he definitely kept us in the game.

How important is it to have a guy like Matt Read be able to come in and play on the PK and just pretty well defensively?
Yeah in Boston I thought he played a good game and tonight he played an even better game.   He’s just getting a little bit more comfortable now and that’s the kind of guy when he comes back in the lineup like that and plays well everybody’s happy for him, and he’s a good player.

Is that the kind of depth that’s gonna be huge down the stretch and then maybe in the playoffs?
Like I said he’s been playing good hockey, I think he’s got chemistry with his line mates there, they played a pretty solid game.

Petr came and played a lot of games pretty quick after the trade, do you think having a couple of days off maybe helped him kind of  reset himself a little bit, he looked like the guy right after the trade versus how he played in a few games before that?
Maybe, I’m not too sure that’s a good question.  But I think tonight he was very solid, we try to do the best we can in front of him, they have a lot of other players on the other side that can score goals so we try to do the most we could and if it wasn’t for my mistake in the PK he would’ve had a shutout so it happens, but he’s just a goalie that I really like to play in front of.

On your goal where you guys (inaudible) for the extra attacker? Did you see a hole there?
Yeah, I saw Fil going back door and I was looking to pass the whole way and lucky enough the fans were yelling at me to shoot so I just tried to find a hole and be able to get it in. 

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