Lein is keen on his Lumberjacks
Through a number of losing streaks, one-sided losses and inconsistent play, Wisconsin Lumberjacks owner, general manager and coach Doug Lein sent out positive vibes when it came to discussing his Superior International Jr. Hockey League team.
And as the Lumberjacks prepare for their final two games of the regular season ahead of the looming playoff, Lein is liking what he has seen of late.
“The guys have really started to click over the last month,” Lein told Hockey News North. “The ups and downs early on were all things we learned from. You always hope that the knowledge gets put to use but you never know. Our guys are showing they have learned a ton over the course of the season and are starting to show what they are capable of.”
As the fifth seed Lumberjacks have come together as a team, several individual players have stood out in a big way for Wisconsin, which takes a record of 16-23-2 and a five game winning streak into a pair of regular season ending home outings against the third-place Dryden Ice Dogs.
“Obviously the play in net with Kyler Lowden has stood out and he has really shown his true colours. He has really come into us own over the course of the season and is hitting stride at the right time. The play up front with (Salvatore) Poggiali, (Brock) Weimer and (Ryder) McMillen has been lights out along with strong support coming deeper in our lineup. The obvious stout defensive play on the back end from our captain Jake McCall and his D partner Zach Carson has been our bread and butter the last five games. We have a really solid six man D corps and we like the direction we are headed,” Lein pointed out.
Lein said he kept preaching a message to his players when the losses were piling up.
“I’ve told my guys all year, losing isn’t losing if you learn from it, it’s two points well spent. They finally got tired of me saying it and said, ‘we are done spending points, now we go.’
“Regardless of how this plays out over the last two games and into the playoffs, I’m proud of this group and how they have stuck together and how they have battled all season. We are looking forward to showing everyone what we are capable of in the playoffs. It should be fun,” summed up Lein.
TRIP TO THE SOO
The Lumberjacks got to experience a trip like no other SIJHL team earlier this season. Notably, when the Province of Ontario was in shutdown during January, the Lumberjacks headed to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to play a pair of exhibition games against the Soo Eagles of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. The inter-league play was well received and the Eagles eked out a pair of 4-3 wins over the visitors from Wisconsin.
Photo: Wisconsin defenseman Zach Carson, in action earlier this season against the Kam River Fighting Walleye.