You know how I've said for the last two weeks or so that I've gotten the sense that something really good could be happening with the Komets right now? There's more of a sense of purpose around the guys, an air of confidence that's building. It's just a feeling from having been around teams so long.
Well, I'm not the only one judging from conversations I've had with players recently.
"I'm having fun the last 20 games or so,'' Colin Chaulk said. "We're starting to win. We're excited and happy with our effort. Things are going pretty good, and I don't see any reason why that shouldn't continue.''
And today Rob Guinn:
``This place I equate it to playing for the Yankees. Everybody looks at us as if we're the powerhouse all the time and we have all the money. Everyone wants to play for this team, and it's an honor to play for this team. I think the boys realize that and are starting to play like that.
"That's the mentality all the guys have. Obviously we've had our ups and downs, but I think the guys are starting to get a little more focused and buying into the systems that we have, and if we do that we'll be real successful. We're definitely going to be a team that other teams aren't going to want to play in the playoffs.''
What struck me about both of them is that they were very calm and relaxed when they said it, sort of like when you know somebody has a lot of confidence in themselves and what they can do. That wasn't there two months ago.
I don't think anybody wants to face them in the playoffs for a few reasons: 1. Frenchy can win a series all by himself; 2. The Komets are filled with players who have tons of playoff experience and have a few talented players like Chaulk, Luciuk and Drouin who could dominate a series by themselves; 3. The Komets aren't bothered by playing on the road; 4. Even if by some way a team beats the Komets in the first round, they're going to be awfully beat up going into the second round. They're going to pay a price for it.
It's way to early to anoint them or predict the Komets are going to win a cup, they have some good things coming together if they can keep it up.