The importance of a goaltender can not be over-stated.
The last line of defence is truly the bottom line when evaluating a team’s chances of progressing along the post-season trail.
“Come playoff time, goaltending is always a key,” said Red Deer Rebels head coach Jesse Wallin. “At this time of the year your goaltenders can make a real difference in a good way or a bad way. You can’t win without it. Sometimes you can win without playing real well if your goaltending is real good, but it’s a lot tougher to win when you’re playing well and your goaltending is bad.”
Rebels No. 1 netminder Darcy Kuemper slumped down the stretch, along with most of his teammates. Even back-up stopper Kraymer Barnstable wasn’t at his best when called upon as the regular season schedule played out.
But after four days of practice and preparation, Wallin is convinced the entire team will be in the proper frame of mind heading into Saturday’s Western Hockey League post-season opener against the host Saskatoon Blades. Of course, it’s absolutely vital that Kuemper and Barnstable, if he’s called upon, are zoned in on the task at hand.
“They’re both 19-year-old guys and both have been in the league for a while now,” said Wallin. “Kraymer was out of the league last year but he was a starter in junior A hockey and played in the league the year before (with the Vancouver Giants). Both are mature young men and I think that it just comes down to preparation and focus and their compete level.
“Kuemper will get the start on Saturday and I expect him to be well-prepared with a good week of practice under his belt. He’ll be going in there to play well and win.”
Neither of the Red Deer goaltenders has WHL playoff experience, but Wallin doesn’t see that as a weakness.
“At some point you have to get that first playoff game under your belt and that’s where our two guys are at,” he said. “It’s a different time of year, but the approach remains the same — you still have to get yourself prepared and you rely on the habits you’ve created through the season and just go to work.”
Kuemper, who has posted some impressive numbers this winter with a 2.73 goals-against average, a .908 save percentage, three shutouts and 28 wins, welcomed the five-day break between the Rebels’ last regular-season game — an 8-1 loss at Calgary — and Saturday’s playoff opener.
“We weren’t at our best down the stretch and maybe it was due to the big emotional high of clinching a playoff spot (with a 4-3 shootout win Feb. 27 at Edmonton),” he said. “We were playing well at that time but it seemed like we played with less emotion the last few games. It was nice to be able to refocus this week. The playoffs are a whole new season and we have to be ready to go.”
Kuemper insisted he won’t be on edge when he returns to his hometown Saturday.
“This is why we play — for these big games,” he said. “Playoffs are the best and most exciting time of the year and I’m definitely looking forward to it. I didn’t get the opportunity last year and this year I’m really excited for it. I know I’m going to be ready and be at my best.
“As far as being nervous, that can be the case the day before a big game, but once you get playing you’re not really thinking about the situation. You’re in the zone and nothing really bothers you. I’m not too worried about the nerves. Being in the playoffs is exciting and I’m really looking forward to the experience.”
Barnstable will approach the playoffs in the same manner he did a regular-season game.
“Obviously Darcy is the guy (starter) and my job is to be there for support if he needs it,” said the Kelowna native, who posted an 11-5-0-1 win-loss record this season and recorded two shutouts to go with a 3.32 GAA and .888 save percentage.
“I’ll be ready if I get a call and if not I’ll be there to support my team 100 per cent all the way. I want to go as far as everyone else does and I’d like to finish the season as a champion.”
But first things first. The Rebels have to put the last two weeks of the regular season behind them and head into Saturday’s game with a renewed sense of urgency.
“The week of practice was really good for us,” said Barnstable. “Wally (Wallin) said it really well when he said we have a clean slate. Looking back at our pre-season, we were really good, but then we came out flat in the regular season before we picked it up. We ended our regular season kind of flat but now we have a fresh start.”
“We all know we can be better and we know we’re going to be better,” said Kuemper. “We weren’t at our best the last couple of weeks but the playoffs are a whole new season and we’ll all be at the top of our game.”
gmeachem@redddeeradvocate.com