PLAYOFFS!!!1 And Mason Wilgosh Interview

This will be a long post combining playoff/gameday stuff with the interview also.  I'm sure you'll cope :)

Bob Tory Quote of the Day:  "The road to success is always under construction".

From the Examiner:

"It was a last-minute thing," Shinnimin said. "We just decided to dye our hair black so everyone's the same."

And that's the whole point of the playoff beards and the hair coloring -- getting everyone on the same page as the playoffs begin.

"The team that comes together the quickest is the one that goes the farthest," Shinnimin said.

The Americans are coming together at just the right time, getting back two important cogs the final weekend of the regular season with the return of forwards Neal Prokop and Mason Wilgosh to the lineup.

"The guys were excited to get Prokes back," Shinnimin said. "He's a 20-year-old and a leader, and Wilgosh is one of our captains. To get guys like that back makes a huge difference."

Hiller noticed the difference at practice this week.

"We had a terrific practice today," he said. "It was short, but full of speed and skill. The guys are excited. You can feel that on the ice."

The last member of the team's walking wounded -- 39-goal scorer Adam Hughesman -- returned to practice Thursday. (Examiner)

Apologies to Rene Ferran for copying and pasting that whole section--it's just that good.  Black hair...huh.  Drinnan notes the Kootenay Ice are also going with the black hair for playoffs:

"We've all been frantically trying to dye our hair (black) the past couple of days to get everything in place, and we've told all our girlfriends that we're not going to be talking to them for a while because we've got business to take care of.”  (player Matt Fraser to Cranbrook Daily Townsman, via Taking Note)

Also on Taking Note today, Drinnan takes a bold step and calls for a removal of fighting from junior hockey.  It's an interesting read and I know there's plenty of people who will disagree with him.  I'm on the fence because it's dangerous and the number of concussions in junior hockey is alarming.  But I love a good fight every now and then.

The Herald takes a closer look at Carter Ashton and the influence his father Brent has had on his career:

"When I was traded here, I was excited," Ashton said. "It's nice to be part of a world-class organization and a good team. I've had a lot of fun, and I'm confident we can go far."

"Through the years, you gain experience," Carter said. "Trades are part of the business, though he does have more experience with them than I do."

"It's nice to be able to share hockey with him," Ashton said. "We talk hockey, but he has put it in my hands since I have been in juniors. He has stepped back and let me find my own way."

Brent and his wife, Susan, will travel to Kennewick to see their son play this weekend. It will be their first trip to the Tri-Cities.

"Carter has been pretty excited," Brent said. "He wants us to see the arena, the fans and how exciting it is there. This has been a good move for him. He's happy to be in Tri-City and with a team that can make a run at it. The guys have made him feel welcome from the first day." (Herald)

Ferran focuses on Lucas Nickles on his "Meet the Ams" installment:

"This has been a great experience being here," Nickles said on the eve of the Americans' first-round playoff series with Vancouver. "Barclay (Ams head scout Barclay Parneta) came to watch me and told me they wanted me to come down and practice with the team for a week or so, and I end up playing in seven games."

Nickles said the best part of his extended stay is that "it's shown me what I have to keep getting better at, keep improving on, to be here next year."

That was the message coach Jim Hiller also emphasized when discussing Nickles' prospects for next year.

"He's an elite skater, but he needs to get a lot stronger," Hiller said. "It's up to him to get his body to the level he needs so he can be a more dangerous offensive player.

"But this has been a terrific experience for him. It'll give him a leg up to make the team next year. He's seen the commitment required at this level, so we won't come in and be surprised next year." (Examiner)

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Yesterday I got the chance to talk with Mason Wilgosh.  I expected silliness.  If you have ever met Mason, you know he's quite the character.  I honestly wasn't sure what answers I expected, but he was serious and a great interview.  Enjoy!

"Dave Schultz":  Last season was the best in the history of the Americans.  How did you, as part of the leadership group, carry that into this season?

Mason Wilgosh:  Probably just a little bit of leadership, on and off the ice, just keeping a positive room and on the ice just doing what it takes to help the team win.  Just work as hard as I could, lead by example.

DS:  There's been a lot of adversity this season, as you know first-hand, what part does that play in the team coming together?

MW:  There's been some adversity, we had some injuries.  It's given our young guys a lot of playing time so give them more experience which helps us play all four lines.  When the young guys go out they know what to expect and they've gotten better over the time since we've had some injuries.  They've had the chance to play and they know what it's like now.

DS:  Have you set any goals for the playoffs?

MW:  Yes and no, I'd say just wanna do my best to give everything I got and leave it all out there 'cause now it's do or die.  Lead by example, help out any way I can.

DS:  What do you do to mentally prepare yourself for games?

MW:  Usually I just try to drink a lot of water, have a routine shower just before I go to the rink.  I usually try to eat the same thing and just rest all day.

DS:  Is there anything you do different leading into playoff games since they're more intense?

MW:  Not really, just let yourself know that now every game counts and there's no time for mistakes, just want to leave it all out there.

DS:  How do you feel you have improved as player from a year ago?

MW:  Probably just in the leadership and offensively, I've just been playing with the top three lines and that's made it easier to play more offensively, I'm just trying to vocal in the room and on the bench, try to help out my teammates.

DS:  If you could improve any one area of your game right now what would it be?

MW:  Probably my offensive game.  Just bearing down and scoring more and goals for the team.

DS:  Do you pattern your play after any particular NHL player?

MW:  I'd have to say Chad LaRose

DS:  (laughing)  my hero, good choice

MW:  Yeah, it is.  I knew you'd like that*

DS:  What is the best part of being a member of a team?

MW:  It almost feels like it's a whole new family, they become your new best friends. You find out so much about other guys, I dunno, just know there's someone behind you, someone's got your back.

DS:  Is it easier since so many of you guys are from Winnipeg?

MW:  Yeah, it's a lot easier because we've known each other for so long.

DS:  What has been your favorite off-ice team building activity?

MW:  I'd say Booster Bowling

DS:  Nice, also a good choice.  What is your favorite rink to play at besides home?

MW:  I'd probably have to say Spokane

DS:  Tell me a little bit about your family

MW:  I got my dad who is an electrician, my mom who's a nurse, and two sisters, one who is 21, one who is 17--no 18.  That about it.  And I got a cat.

DS:  If you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead, although they'd be alive for the purpose of answering this question, who would it be and why?

MW:  Probably ... tough question, I'd probably say Ovechkin.  Just to see what he thinks from his perspective and just his lifestyle, see what it's all about.

DS:  What's the best advice you ever got and from whom?

MW:  oof.  I don't know.  I. Don't. Know.

DS:  alright, what hobbies or activities do you have away from the rink?

MW:  Fishing and hunting.  Little bit of xbox.

DS:  What song are you embarrassed to have on your ipod?

MW:  I don't know what it's called but it's by Miley Cyrus, not Party in the USA.  Not a good song.

DS:  What actor would you want to play you in the movie about your life?

MW:  I'd probably have to say Vince Vaughan.

DS:  Another good choice, good answers Mason!

MW:  I know, I'm on fire

DS:  Final question, waffles or pancakes?

MW:  What kind of pancakes, chocolate chip?

DS:  sure

MW:  I'd say extra chocolate chip pancakes.  But waffles.  I like eating waffles.

DS:  Who doesn't.  Thanks for taking the time to talk with me, good luck in the playoffs!

*Mason knows the Carolina Hurricanes are my favorite NHL team.  At the start of this season, I was trying to figure out who some of the newbies were and he told me one was Joe Corvo.  He told me this when his mouth was wired shut so it came out all mush-mouthed.  See?  He's silly!  That being said, even if he did just say Chad LaRose to make this blogger happy, it also fits.  LaRose is a spitfire wrecking ball, just like Mason.  And just as silly.