Down 3-1, What now?

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On a day like this, it’s best to keep doing everything you have been all season long. Don’t change anything you’ve been doing just because there’s a little adversity. Sure, the Halifax 21st is staring in the face of adversity, but instead of crumbling, they are deciding to fight back. There’s a reason why they only lost nine games in regulation all season. There’s a reason why they scored more goals than any other team in the VHLM, and there’s a reason why they allowed the least amount of goals too.

 

 

Teamwork

 

 

Every single player on the 21st contributed in some way to the team this season. Whether it be scoring goals, assisting those goals, making big hits, or putting their body on the line to keep the puck out of the net; the players on Halifax put in the work. They dedicated their season to being the best and they have the resilience to continue striving toward that until the job is done. Off the ice, conversations have been had to keep the team motivated through the ups and downs of the season and into the playoffs. Everyone is working together to achieve their shared goal. 

Each player on the team understands their role in the machine that is the Halifax 21st. While some players may not put up the offensive numbers or show up on the score sheet as much, they are doing the work behind the scenes and improving in order to support their teammates and contribute more in the future. 

 

 

Despite the season’s success, both team-wise and individually, doubt can still creep in. You know your end goal and are confident in your abilities, but when that’s challenged so intensely the negative thoughts can creep in. Yes, the team is down 3-1 against the defending Founder’s Cup Champion Saskatoon Wild. Yes, the 21st has lost three games in a row for only the second time this season. That can be scary. You wonder if what you’ve been doing is suddenly not working. You start to doubt if you are the better team. But in the most trying times, there is always a silver lining. The positive times, the times when you were successful; the multiple eight-game winning streaks, the hard-fought overtime battles, and more than half the team being above a point per game. 

All is not lost. Now is the time to centre yourself and remember everything that got you to this point. The Halifax 21st are in the Founder’s Cup Finals and they deserve to be there. It is time to pull together as a team, as they have been all season long, and win three games in a row to take the championship home to eastern Canada. Management, captains, first-liners, second-liners, special teams specialists, and our goalies. Everyone plays a part and everyone is equally important. Push the doubt out of your mind and remember the reason why you’re here. 

 

 

Let’s show the Saskatoon Wild the full wrath of the Halifax 21st and take it to them in the next three games!

 LET’S GO BOAT GANG!