Red Deer Rebels veteran forward Mason McCarty is just a pup in terms of playoff experience.
Game 4 of the WHL Eastern Conference quarter-final against the Lethbridge Hurricanes represented just his fourth career post-season contest.
Yet, the 21-year-old is a seasoned regular season player, with 225 games under his belt.
So, what has the Blackie, Alta. native learned in his first and final playoff experience?
“I’ve learned a lot. It’s a lot harder than the regular season. It’s a war out there. I knew it was going to be faster and I knew it would be pretty intense, but there’s a lot of chippy stuff. It’s been really fun and I’ve really enjoyed it,” McCarty said Thursday after an off-ice workout.
When Red Deer lost handily in the first two games of the best-of-seven series to the Hurricanes in Lethbridge, McCarty was emphatic that the group needed to stand up physically to their opponent.
He said Thursday that on home-ice in games three and four, the Rebels adopted a pack mentality about being pushed around or intimidated by the Hurricanes. It served the Rebels well in a 5-2 Game 4 win and will be helpful as the series shifts to Lethbridge for Game 5.
“They have a lot more size than we do. If you have more heart, I think you’re better off,” McCarty said.
”We matched them physically and I think instead of rolling over we’re starting to push back and we’re pushing back the right way. It’s important you don’t back down or give up no matter what the series is it.”
McCarty, to his credit, has taken a lead in the physical department of the game, even as the team’s leading scoring in the regular season with 38 goals and 74 points in 69 games. He has four points in four playoff games so far this year.
In his fourth playoff game, he was finally able to score his first playoff goal. That marker came a day after McCarty thought he scored his first career post-season goal, but a review by the referees determined it was goalie interference.
“Thought I had one the other night,” said McCarty with a laugh about his disallowed goal in game 3.
“It is what it is. It was exciting but I’m here for wins, not goals. As long as the team wins, I’m happy.”
The veteran understands that any game from here on out could be his last in the WHL and in no way is he ready for the ride to end Saturday in Game 5 against Lethbridge.
“We knew (Wednesday) and continuing forward that if we lose, we go home. It’s no time for excuses, it’s no time for mistakes,” McCarty added.
“We know how we have to play and what we have to do or the season is over. It sucks being down in the series, but also it gives you that no fear factor because you just have to perform or you’re done.”
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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