No easy victories, says co-captain Smart

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This article was published 28/11/2023 (714 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

D-Man Merrick Smart has experienced the agony of defeat during his two previous seasons patrolling the blue-line for the Crocus Plainsmen.

It’s a different story for the senior so far during the Westman High School Hockey League 2023-24 season, with his eighth-place (5-6-1) team no longer an easy two points.

“I knew we had a good team after we beat Minnedosa and Virden, and had another good game against Hartney,” he said. “Our team is here to play, and not just let teams run up the score.

“When you are having fun, it’s only more fun when you are winning games. From my two previous seasons, now our team is having an impact with our play, telling the other team this is not going to be an easy win just because you’re playing Crocus.

“I’m happy how we are playing right now (after 12 games). We’re constantly improving as a team and it shows out on the ice.”

In his third year with the Plainsmen, Smart has observed a marked difference from when he was a rookie, to the crop of new players on this year’s roster coached by new bench boss Darren Galatiuk, alongside Phil Durward, Jeff Moore and Ethan Penman.

“The big difference for me from past years: we work well as a group. We have a great group of rookies, and how they play, so the seven seniors are showing them how to work, and adapt to this level of hockey from what they’ve played before.”

Smart has played defence since he was eight, and considers himself a two-way D-man. However, do not expect to see a lot of goals. He lets his linemate Evan Asham do the scoring.

“We’ve played together since Grade 10 and have chemistry,” he offered. “We can read each other when we’re playing together. We don’t have to talk, we just know what to look for when we’re on the ice.”

Sharing co-captain duties with fellow senior Will Galatiuk, Smart is not afraid to rush the puck from his zone, especially if the opposition is forechecking hard.

“If I see our team is being pressured when we face harder teams, and unable to clear the zone with the puck, then I won’t hesitate to rush it,” he said. “I’ll make the rush and get the puck over the center red line, and fire it deep into the other team’s end.”

Facing the winless RGG Raiders (0-7-0) on Nov. 25 at Westoba Place, Smart had three assists as his team skated to 6-2 victory. SOG for the winners was 38-13.

“We had a good mentality and were ready to play in that game,” he said. “If we play our game, I think we can make a run in this league, and possibly make a run in playoffs.”

Landan Nadeau had a four-point night, with two goals, to pace the Plainsmen’s offence facing Raiders goalie Landon McIvor.

Single markers went to Galatiuk, Rylan Dean, Cooper Kirkpatrick and Gilbert Teneycke. Kael Maxwell and Logan Nykyforak replied for the Raiders.

Rookie goalie Shelby Brown, just 15, earned the victory. Smart likes the goaltending tandem of Brown and 16-year-old Kelsey Dell manning the crease for the Plainsmen.

“Their both good goaltenders, who play off of each other,” he said. “They both play with a lot of confidence facing boys … both are solid between the pipes. Both have won us some games with their play.”

He recalled, “When we were down to Virden 3-1 and came back to win 4-3, it was Shelby who kept us in the game because she stood on her head to make saves. That’s all you can ask of your goalie when you are down.”

Facing their cross-town rivals Vincent Massey Vikings (8-2-0) always brings out the best in Crocus players, said Smart. Even if they lost 6-0 in an early season contest. There’s a Dec. 17 rematch for the Plainsmen to even the score.

“Massey is a very strong team, with lots of great players. It’s always an intense game when we face each other because of the student support, with the arena full.”

While he might only be 140 pounds and stand five-foot-nine on skates, Smart is no pushover from his blueline position. He likes to pattern his play after two NHL blueliners, Boston Bruin defenceman Charlie McAvoy and Torey Krug of the St. Louis Blues.

“Both are small guys who play big and have an impact on their teams. I like to think I do, too.”

An 11-3 loss to the ninth-place K/W Raiders (5-4-0) was not what Smart expected after his team’s play the night before facing the other Raiders.

“They jumped on us early with a couple of goals, yet we played hard in our loss,” he said of the road game in Killarney. “Sometimes the scoreboard does not show how hard you played, so we just have to regroup for our next game.”

Connor Martin, with a hat trick, Grady Shearer and Spencer Cullin, with two goals each, Landon Lockhart, Nikolaus Kummer and Kai McGregor scored for the Raiders. Asham, with two, and Drayden Murray answered for the Plainsmen.

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