By Nathan Kanter

Holinaty making most of his spot on top PP unit

Apr 11, 2017 | 2:00 PM

Keaton Holinaty is no stranger to scoring power play goals.

This year, he led the North Stars in that category with 12, which was also tied for fourth in the entire Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

He notched 20 goals overall in 56 games, which is just over a goal every three games, and just over one power play goal every five games.

In the playoffs, however, the 20-year-old from the small town of Hardisty, Alta., has notched seven goals in just eight games, four of which have come on the man advantage.

“It’s playoffs. It’s my last year,” Holinaty said after practice on Monday afternoon. “I want to perform here and want to make a difference. So far I feel like I’ve done that.”

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He certainly has made a difference, as his his consistency has been one of the main reasons Battlefords has yet to drop a game in these playoffs.

Three of his goals came in the opening round against Weyburn, and four came in the semifinals against Estevan.

He also has a point in every game so far in the post-season, meaning he is currently riding a 10-game point streak, dating back to the regular season.

“I think he’s just a big player,” said teammate Coby Downs, who has assisted on all four of Holinaty’s power play goals in the playoffs. “He’s been one of the top guys on the team, definitely. He’ll score goals when we need goals. He’ll produce when he needs to produce. I think he’s going really well. I think these last eight games of playoffs have been the best I’ve seen him play all season.”

About a month ago, Holinaty was put in front of the opponent’s net on the top power play, a move that was associate coach Braeden Johnson’s idea (according to head coach Nate Bedford, who said “No good ideas are mine.”)

At 6’2″, 200 lbs., Holianty is extremely good at taking away the goalies eyes, and also at deflecting and tipping shots while in front.

“He’s a big player so he [uses] his body positioning and pretty much I’ve just got to aim for his stick for the back doors,” Downs said, who plays on the half-wall on the power play. “It makes it so much easier when he takes the body, and pretty much boxes them out, and has it in front of the net. Plus he has a long reach so you just give it to him and he can make plays in front.”

But Johnson says there’s more to that role in front than just providing screens and getting good body position.

“He always offers his stick for either the back door passes that he’s been putting in the net or the tip-in goals but he also understands the recovery part of that position,” Johnson said. “Any shots that have missed the net or go in the corners, he understands he’s the first guy to create that battle and give our guys a chance to keep puck possession.”

Holinaty gives credit to his linemates on the power play, specifically Downs and Layne Young, who lead the league in playoff scoring so far with 20 and 18 points, respectively.

“Those guys on the power play are good at hitting me in front of the net so all I do is just find ways to get open,” Holinaty said. “I’m good at finding open areas and those guys can hit me. Downs and Young are pretty good players.”

At even strength, Holinaty has been centering Bryce Hall and Owen Lamb.

When that line was referred to as the ‘fourth line’, which is how the lineup sheets are filled out before game-time, he took exception to it.

“Oh so we’re the fourth line now?” he joked. “I don’t think there’s a fourth line on this team. I love playing with Hall – Hallsy’s a skilled player and obviously so is Lamb. Lamber can get you the puck and he works hard.”

Bedford made it clear that Holinaty is good for more than just points when the team is up a man.

“He’s been great on the power play and I think more people should notice how well he’s playing 5-on-5 too,” Bedford said after the team’s game three win over Estevan last Monday. “I wish I had him back for another [year]. He’s a real quality kid.”

No matter who the North Stars play in the finals (which will finally be decided after tonight’s game seven between Flin Flon and Nipawin), the hope is the power play can keep clicking, as it has been off the charts so far, at 30.8 per cent.

Holinaty has certainly been a main reason why.

“I get more opportunities than anyone [on the power play] so I should be putting them into the back of the net,” Holinaty said. “If I’m not, then I’m doing something wrong.”

nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca

@NathanKanter11