Westman Wildcats on the prowl for playoff success, says Hallie Franklin

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This article was published 14/02/2024 (680 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s not how you start the season, but how you finish it.

Words of wisdom from a veteran rearguard for the second-place Westman Wildcats (19-7-2) as her team prepares to face the seventh-place Pembina Valley Hawks (6-18-4) on Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Off to play of the Saskatchewan Huskies this fall, Hallie Franklin offered her thoughts on her team preparing for the post-season after finishing the regular season with two well-played homes games in Hartney: a 2-1 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Ice, followed by a 3-1 victory facing the Winnipeg Avros.

The Wildcats went three-for-six on the power-play en route to a 3-1 triumph over the visiting fifth-place Winnipeg Avros in Hartney. Ivy Perkin, Callie Hilhorst and Paige Crossley supplied the offence, while Aime Liberty answered for the Avros.

“Our team has been on an upslope all season … we didn’t start off the best, but we have for sure made immense improvements and are peaking at the right time as playoffs are coming up,” said Franklin.

Like her team, the lanky rearguard who finished her final season with three goals and 18 points said her own game mirrors that of her team.

“I have consistently made improvements throughout the season. I wanted to become a more offensive player and I think I have done that and it shows in my stats,” she said. “My one-on-one battles continue to be good and I continue to improve my gap.”

Franklin credits the Wildcats coaching staff of Guy Williams, Tony Franklin, Blair Bodie, Chris Page and Megan Halloran for preparing the team both physically and mentally for the rigours of the post-season when the intensity ratchets up and defensive play is tighter.

“Our team has been doing a better job at mentally preparing for games. We have had more buying in with our systems,” she explained. “Our team really trusts each other and works hard for the logo on the front rather than the name on the back, and we are working hard towards the same goals.

“I know I personally focussed on being mentally and physically strong. I wanted to win each battle that I could to contribute to the teams success.”

While upsets are part of the playoff picture, with it being a new season and all teams starting with clean slates, Franklin know the No. 1 seed Ice won’t be easy to send to the sidelines.

Morever, Franklin has experienced playing the Ice the past two seasons in the U18 AAA Manitoba Female Hockey League’s playoffs, winning the title during the 2021-22 season. And she knows keeping Stephanie Jacob in check is a must after she led the league in scoring with 31 goals and 45 points.

“Our experience just playing against them will be helpful moving forward,” she said. “Containing Jacob will be a huge part of any success we have.

“She is a dynamic player and contributes at both ends of the ice. The Ice also have very effective defence so our leaders up front will need to push hard to put the puck in the net.

“We also have a strong backend with lots of experience, so being tough on the puck and keeping their top line to the outside will be a key. (Rookie goalie) Danica (Averill) has really performed well this past month and that will help in our success if she can continue.”

Franklin knows defence often wins championships, and with the Wildcats stellar blue-line corp and the steady play of Averill should help in tight-checking playoff games.

She predicts it won’t be an easy task, with multiple teams having the potential to win the league title.

“During the regular season, we had more difficulty with some teams than others. When we play Yellowhead it is always a battle,” she said. “The Winnipeg Avros always play a consistent and strong game against us. I believe the Eastman Selects will be a tough matchup.

“Of course, the speed, skill and experience of the Winnipeg Ice will be a challenge for any team. Although these are all great teams, I believe with our team’s speed, skill, intensity and work ethic we can take down any team.”

Franklin is cognizant of the intensity of playoff games will mean her teammates must remain focused, and not let pressure deter them if the Wildcats get down in a game. Follow the adage, she says, to take each game, each period and each shift with the same intensity and let your teamwork help the team prevail. The senior players must help the rookies who have not faced MFHL playoff intensity.

“Playoffs are very different and it takes a great amount of mental strength to get through a playoff run,” she said. “But I think the key is to take one game at a time. You can’t get ahead of yourself wondering about who you might play next.

You have to stay focussed on what game you’re playing at the time. The coaches will adjust our game plan depending on who we are playing and what kind of game they play. We have had a lot of girls play all the way to the finals in playoffs so that experience will be really beneficial.”

Opposing teams won’t be able to focus on one player or one line facing the Wildcats, according to Franklin. The team was led by rookie Ivy Perkin, who finished second in league scoring with 17 goals and 31 points.

“We are really fortunate to have multiple players that contribute offensively. We have a number of returning girls that have put up big points this season,” she said.

She pointed to the offensive contributions from five teammates: Kelsey Huibers, Marlie Rutherford, Paige Crossley, Reese Schutte and Karlyn Gudz. Thompson finished ninth in league scoring with 15 goals and 24 points, while Schutte was 10th with 13 goals and 23 points.

“I also think Ivy will be counted on for some of those big moments we will need,” she said, adding, “I would like to say our back end has really proven to contribute in the points column. Addison Vines, Erica Stutsky and Callie Hilhorst have all had great years.”

Looking back on her own regular season, Franklin said there are a few moments she will cherish once she hangs up her Wildcats jersey for good.

“What really makes me happy is how far we’ve come from the start of the season until now. We played at a tournament at the start of December in Notre Dame, and since that time we have won 13 out of 15 games,” she said.

“We have dug in down the stretch and climbed the standings because of it, finishing second. This has put us in a much better position for playoffs.”

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