Young, Downs putting up historical numbers

“I don’t think they’re doing anything differently [than in the regular season],” said North Stars head coach Nate Bedford after practice on Wednesday. “The bigger the stage here, the better they get.

“They’re both dialed in. The perfect example is the first guy to the rink today was Young and Downs is right in behind him there. These guys are focused on the playoffs and a little bit of redemption over good years that have kind of gotten away from them. I think they’re really committed to the playoffs right now and when they’re on the ice, they’re dominating.”

Either one could become the first Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League player since 2011 to hit 30 points in the playoffs, or they could become the first SJHL player (since the league began tracking individual playoff stats in 2011) to post two points-per-game.

The closest is Marc Andre Carre in 2011, when he had 1.76 thanks to 30 points in just 17 games for the La Ronge Ice Wolves.

Right now, Downs has 2.50 and Young has 2.25.

“We’re finding each other and making our opportunities count,” Young said. “I think in the regualr season, we probably could have had a lot more points but we missed a lot of chances and now we’re just bearing down and putting them in.”

Downs said in addition to capitalizing more, he’s trying to make the most of his last year in junior hockey.

“I’m just playing a little bit harder and I know what’s at stake,” he said. “I want to win really badly. I think that’s why my game has picked up a little bit.”

The duo’s linemate, Ben Allen, who has been with the pair since he first came to the North Stars in October, also has noticed Downs’ hunger in his final year.

“He’s giving it all that he’s got, so I think [our whole line] is just playing to our best ability,” Allen said. “[Downs and Young] make everything easier. The pace they play at and the vision they have, it just gives us a little more time and space and I think that helps all of us out.”

Allen himself has found the back of the net more in these playoffs as well, with a whopping seven goals in eight games.

“I’m shooting the puck every chance I get,” he said. “Downs and Younger, they’ve been noticing that too, so they’re passing me the puck a little bit more. But I think just as a line we’re working better together and we’re helping each other out.”

Coach Bedford believes another strength of the duo is their ability to keep chugging along for lengthy shifts.

He said that will be key in the SJHL finals against Flin Flon.

“They’re both in great shape: they both can stay out there for 45 seconds easy and still put up points,” Bedford said. “It’s a lot easier to score points at the beginning of the shift than it is at the end for a lot of guys but I think if they’re going to have some success [in the finals], they’re going to have to get some points here after some sustained pressure in the other team’s zone. I don’t think they’re going to be able to score off the rush that easily.”

Young also thinks continuing the team’s quick starts (20 first period goals in eight playoff games) will also pay dividends in the Canalta Cup Finals.

“Against Estevan, it really helped whne we got on them quick so I would say our starts will be a big key,” Young said. “I’ve very excited after last year, for sure. Some of the comments that have been going around, I’m excited to get things going.”

The finals begin with two home games for the North Stars on Friday and Saturday.

Both games begin at 7:30 p.m, with the Ultra Print pre-game show on CJNB/CJNS beginning at 7:15 p.m.

nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca

@NathanKanter11

by Nathan Kanter

Young, Downs putting up historical numbers

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