Last week I had the chance to speak with Mississauga Steelheads goalie, and Colorado Avalanche prospect Spencer Martin after a 4-0 loss to the North Bay Battalion.
Yesterday, was a huge game for the Steelheads as they picked up a gigantic 2-1 win (in a shootout) over the Niagara Ice Dogs. It was a playoff like atmosphere at the Hershey Centre as those two teams were part of a four team grouping fighting for the final two playoff spots in the OHL.
On Thursday, the Ice Dogs had come back from a big three goal third period deficit for a 5-4 shootout win against the Steelheads. Their fans also invaded the Hershey Centre on Friday, ten busloads of them, positioning themselves behind Martin and trying to make sure he wouldn’t forget what had happened in Niagara.
With the out of town results, the Belleville Bulls were eliminated from playoff contention, and Ice Dogs punched their ticket to the dance. For the Steelheads they are two points up on the Ottawa 67s and both teams have one game remaining. The Steelheads host Kingston, while Ottawa plays North Bay on Sunday. If the 67s win and the Steelheads lose in regulation, we will have a one-game playoff for the final spot. However, any other result and the Steelheads will make the playoffs as either the 7th or 8th seed.
With all that in mind it was Martin who was the first star in the game. He put on an outstanding performance with 30 saves on 31 shots, and going two-for-two with saves in the shootout. He was particularly effective on a late powerplay in the third for the Ice Dogs, making two huge saves for Mississauga to keep the lead.
After the game we were lucky enough to get in a quick word with Spencer in the middle of a media scrum.
Can you tell us a little about the last two days, and the two huge games you’ve been involved in?
Spencer Martin: In the last 48 hours, its probably the most memorable hockey moments of my career so far. They’ve been pretty special games for both teams and I’ve been happy to be a part of them, and happy to get two points today.
Tell me something about your team. The defence played very well today, both sides did. What were some of the teams best attributes today?
SM: I don’t know if we were both trapping to try and get points, but it was definitely a very defensive game. It was a waiting game, waiting for the other team to make a mistake. Perfect game for a goalie to sit back behind a strong defensive unit in front of him.
Can you tell us something about that big third period powerplay and the two huge saves you had coming across the crease. The first one was particularly close as they needed to check the video to see where your glove was when you caught the puck, but you did come up with the stop as it was in front of the line.
SM: I got pretty lucky on that first one I think. It was really close to going in, and luckily i was able to keep it out. The second one, i was lucky that the one-timer was along the ice, so it was another good stop.
Last night there were some incidents where the Ice Dogs were running you a little bit. On top of that they had all those fans behind your net tonight. Did that make the game more challenging and how did you phase that out?
SM: This time of year you get that. I definitely enjoy that type of atmosphere and the extra intensity it brings. It was a lot of fun. Too bad for their fans to have to come all that way and lose, but it was definitely a fun atmosphere.
After a game like that, you have a lot of weight of your shoulders winning the shootout. How do you get back up for Sunday’s game against Kingston?
SM: It just keeps ramping up this time of year, and lucky for us we get to play playoff style games before the playoffs even start. Its not such a big eye opener for us when the intensity goes up.
Have you guys been checking on what Ottawa and Belleville have done tonight, and did you know what the playoff picture looked like during the game?
SM: We try not to focus on other teams too much, but saying that its hard not to peek every once in a while. Last I saw Ottawa had a 4-2 lead on Kingston, so it was important to win, as things could have been real bad if we didn’t get the two points.
What kept you so focused throughout the entire game, making 30 stops on 31 shots?
SM: I think its that when you are feeling good you are having fun out there. When I’m having fun, I’m at my best.
You can follow Spencer Martin on twitter (@S_Marty95) and the Steelheads twitter (@OHLSteelheads) and their website mississaugasteelheads.com as they make their final playoff push. They are home to Kingston on Sunday at 2:00 pm. There are great seats still available, and the game should feature a playoff atmosphere as the Steelheads can clinch a spot with a single point. You can check it out at the Hershey Centre, 5500 Rose Cherry Place.
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