The Next Right Thing (kudos to you if you get the reference)

[SlapshotWrangler 864]

SASKATOON - Nobody saw it coming. The Saskatoon Wild were flying high as they were on a 50 game win streak. There were a bunch of reasons they should've won. But despite all of the odds, the first-place, playoff-clinching, record setting Saskatoon Wild, lost to the city where the National Hockey League's Wild resides, Minnesota. The Mississauga Hounds beat Saskatoon 4-3, ending a 50 game win streak that the Wild were on. They were the first team to beat the Saskatoon Wild since the Mexico City Kings did it earlier in the season, winning 4-2.

 

"I didn't play well. I let bad goals in and couldn't seem to stop anything," said Jacques Lafontaine after the game.

 

While the Saskatoon have won all of their games ever since that loss, Jacques says he still thinks back to it when it comes to his performance.

 

"I feel like it was a wake-up call for me and other players. That loss stung and it reminded us that we are still human, that we can still lose. It reminded me that I gotta keep working hard to get better and better until I am the best I can be. I have to play harder."

 

Before that, star goalie Jimmy Spyro and the Mississauga Hounds were the closest team to beating them, as the Saskatoon Wild won thanks to a shootout. Spyro has arguably been the second best goalie in the league as he has 45 wins, good enough for 2nd place in the league on the list for goalies with the top 10 wins. He also has a stellar GAA of 1.97, good enough for second in the league (for players who have played at least 2 or more games) and has proven to be solid for the Hounds night after night.

 

But despite that loss, the Wild aren't planning on removing their foot off the gas pedal. Far from it.

 

"We were going to lose eventually. Not like we should be that surprised that we lost one game. Sure, we lost but it's not like we're going to be in a slump. It's just one loss. We've lost before. We've still won a whole bunch," he replied during the same conference. "We just gotta pick ourselves up off the ground and get right back to winning. I mean, what else are we going to do?"

 

The Wild have done well so far since that loss, winning all of their games since then. Everybody seems to be back in shape, even more motivated to win. If they want to beat the Calgary Wrangler's record (even though they are a Victory Hockey League team and the Wild are a Victory Hockey League Minors), they'll have to win the rest of their games.

 

"I know we'll pull it off. Though, the whole record thing isn't our focus right now. Our focus is continuing to play our game."

 

You'll be able to see if they can continue to follow through on Jacques' promise next game, where the Saskatoon Wild will go against the Mexico City Kings. Best of luck to them.