Why can’t Riga Reign? with Sadie St-Louis

[sadie 898]

DBC 2023

 

The Riga Reign have done it again! Although we hope that the event they have repeated is a key winstreak such as the one at the end of the season or a glorious seven-point game for The Frenchman making a strong start to their playoffs, the reality is that yet again, Riga has failed to make it work. 

 

Is it simply a case of encountering the wrong goalies at the wrong times, given that Lachlan Summers and Jesse Teno have terrorized their forwards come playoff time? Could it be that this Reign team is suffering a similar affliction to the well-known curse of the Toronto Maple Leafs (a fifth-tier North American side made famous for its choke artistry)? Or is it something else?

 

To try to get a look inside the hearts and minds that fill Riga’s locker room, Keita Mālina interviewed Sadie St-Louis, a player regarded as one of the leaders of this team’s core. Although younger than some of her counterparts and  often facing struggles with production, there’s no doubt that she cares about this Riga team and where they go deeply.

 

 

Keita Mālina: The Riga Reign have fallen again to HC Davos Dynamo, who seem to be a familiar foe. Do you think that your struggles to advance in the playoffs are just a result of Davos being always a little bit more of a contender?

 

Sadie St-Louis: I can’t really attribute it to Davos being better, because at the end of the day that’s not really true. When we’re clicking out there, no team can stop us and you all saw that in game one. Every time we have a chance to make a run, we crumble and I don’t know why.

 

KM: Do you think it’s a lack of effort on the part of the team or of certain players that’s impacting you guys negatively? Can you give any insight?

 

SSL: I don’t think its fair to place blame on players and series like this aren’t a place for that anyhow. It was really hard fought between both teams and everyone gave their all. We must have used up all our luck in game one, I guess. I don’t know I’m just really mystified.

 

KM: It always seems to come back to Lachlan Summers, Davos’ superstar goalie and your friend. How did his play affect the outcome of the series? 

 

SSL: Lachlan’s awesome and always has been an awesome goalie. I could barely believe it when I got one puck by him in this series, let alone 2 in a game and 3 in the series! I think if you watch the replay you’d see my jaw hit the ground. But in all honesty I find it easy to be super happy for him even though its really bitter to lose again. Lachlan is totally the reason for their win in my eyes and I think game 1 lit a fire under him. We talked after the game and you could see plainly in his eyes that he was reliving the trauma of an incident about a decade ago that involved potassium filled fruits. Well, allegedly but never mind that. He was definitely the key and is perennially I believe, to Davos success.

 

KM: Is Riga starting to lose hope after so many repeated failures? There’s some speculation about management being the problem- thoughts on that?

 

SSL: No, we always bounce back ready to win, and it’s going to happen. We will be back next year stronger than ever and it will only be helped by our amazing GM. They haven’t been the reason for being unsuccessful, and have helped us make many key additions which we wouldnt have made the postseason without. 

KM: On a lighter note, thoughts on Brian Kowalski and the amazing season they have had this year? 

SSL: I think it's just astonishing what they've been able to do as a defenseman especially. They have been playing big minutes and being a huge part of this team defensively, laying the body on opposing players as well as sacrificing it for us. The offensive pace is unreal. I will be incredibly surprised if they don't win a bunch of awards- it will be so deserved.
 

KM: What skills are you planning on training most in this offseason?

SSL: I really feel my shot still needs work, I'd like to see more goals versus the amount of pucks I put on net. Also strength, I really need to contribute more on the physical side of the game and definitely have some better hit totals haha.

 

KM: Any words you have for the fans before your offseason really begins?

 

SSL: Thank you Riga for showing up. We know we can count on you to show up and get loud at home and to follow us to away games. All of you have made me feel so welcome in this city and are the reason our team is so determined to get back out there and win. We’re going to get that Cup for you next year, Riga.

 

KM: Thanks so much for sitting down with me Sadie! Best of luck to you and the Reign next year!

 

 

Sadie’s production was at a personal best for her this year, with a whopping 77 points in 72 games. While she had certainly shown the talent to be able to put up more than that, it’s a significant jump from last years point total of 55 and her first time finishing above that point per game threshold. Her goal total increased by 50% as well this year, showing that last offseason’s commitment to shooting practice paid off. She is looking to take a step to the next level again next year, now having touched a point per game, her sights are set on 80 or even 90 points (that would be very cool!). Before we see what she does next year, however, we have a long offseason to go. Sadie will be in Switzerland, hopefully catching a Davos Continental Cup win while she's there. Here’s to a better next year for her and Riga!

 

Spoiler

claim for weeks 30/7 and 6/8 word count 1019

 

Edited August 7, 2023 by sadie

[sadie 898]

claim for week ending 6/8