The Steinbach Pistons are firing on all cylinders, putting wins together, and everyone on the team is contributing, but captain Sam Noad says that while these times are good, this group wants more.
Olympic heartbreak not healed
Time heals all wounds, but the Team Canada loss is one that might affect the 20-year-old Noad for a few days. “I definitely haven’t recovered yet,” he says with a somewhat defeated chuckle. “You know, we got home late, late last night, and a bunch of us got up early to watch the game all together. Obviously, a pretty devastating loss. I thought the Canadians played really well. They kind of dominated, in my opinion, and deserved to win. When you get those three-on-three overtimes, anything can happen, bounce here, bounce this way, bounce that way, and, you know. So I’m sure we’ll have a tough next week or so at the rink with the Americans. I’m sure they’ll be yelling at us, so we’ll have to battle through it.”
Finding their game
Over the last few weeks and months, Noad says his group has found their groove, while also believing that they can get to another level or two. “I think we’re just trying to kind of round our game into form. Only seven games left till the playoffs, so we’re just trying to kind of get everything rolling, getting everything feeling good, and just trying to play the right way. I mean, I think the scores will dictate themselves when we’re playing our game, playing the right way. I think we’re a really deep hockey team. We have guys that can contribute up and down the lineup. Obviously, we have really good goaltending and a strong d-core, so I think that when we’re playing well, playing our best, the scores will dictate themselves when we’re playing our game.”
Everyone is pulling the rope
Noad says good teams have not only depth, but the understanding that it takes everyone to get to the top of the mountain. “I think that’s kind of the mark of any good team, right? We have four forward lines that we feel are dangerous at all times, and everyone has their role. Everyone kind of contributes differently and is effective in different ways. I think that’s just part of having a team, and we all have faith in each other, we have faith in what each other can bring to the table. When you have that depth up and down the forward group and up and down the defence core, add in, obviously, two goalies that we have full trust in. I mean, it gives you a ton of confidence in each other, and we know that we have as good a chance as anyone to win on any given night.”
Growing together
Over the last stretch, the group is not only coming together on the ice, but off the ice, too. Overall, there’s quite a mix of personalities, some fun and loose, others quiet and fierce. It all blends well, according to Noad. “We had a pretty new group coming in this year, lots of new faces,” the veteran explains. “Some returning guys, and obviously got some guys back, you know, around the deadline with Nuzzi (Connor Paronuzzi) and Kosti (Jackson Kostiuk). They have been here before, and they understand the culture of our group. Obviously, they bring a lot of positive energy and laughs to that room. But I think it just took us some time. I think we’ve really come together. We’re a really close group. We have some characters, some guys like to keep it light. You know, we got someone like (Liam) Doyle is dancing before, getting the boys going, doing his crazy dance moves and stuff like that. Keep the energy high. I think we’ve kind of really found our groove with our preparation. I think, even though at times we like to, you know, be loose and have fun, we’re still prepared and dialled in and ready to go. So I just think that once we kind of found that groove and everyone kind of understands what each other’s about and what everyone needs to be successful. I think we’re kind of got it dialled in now. So it’s good.”
Career year
Always a team-first guy, Noad is quick to pass on the praise of his year to his linemates, though this year is one where he has set a new career high in goals, is knocking on the door of 20, plus approaching a new career high in points, all of which Noad has taken in stride. “I think I’m pretty lucky to get to play with some pretty amazing players. I mean, Brett (Kaiser) and Kosti, I think, kind of got put together right after Christmas time, and I think we’ve kind of found some chemistry. I mean, they’re both two really, really smart players, and they make it pretty easy for me to play with them. I just kind of go get the puck and get to them and go to the net. We kind of read off each other, and we can all create and skate. So I think it’s been good. We’ve kind of gelled well. Since we’ve been put together, and it’s been a lot of fun, I think, when you’re just kind of having fun, and you know, playing light and playing loose, you kind of know what you have with your line mates. You trust each other. Not that it comes easy, but it kind of starts to work, and you have some success. So I think my success has been a byproduct of kind of finding some chemistry with those guys. I’m really, really grateful and lucky to play with them. You know, playing some other really good players in the power play as well. I just think that you know we’re going well right now and try to keep rolling and make sure we’re continuing to produce and help the team win anyway we can, going into the playoffs.”
Making the most of what is to come
The regular season is slowly coming to an end, and for Noad, being a 20-year-old, it means his last few regular-season games as a Piston, but he’s not focused on that, he’s looking big picture. “We want to continue to roll the way we’ve been, like having contributions up and down the lineup. Really stressing on the defensive zone side of things, because I know we’re confident as a group that we’re going to be able to put the puck in the net with how much talent we have, so just really making sure that you know, our structure is good. Our details and habits are good. We’re coming back, and we’re playing as a five-man unit out there and helping out our two goalies. I really think with seven games left, for me personally, my last seven regular season games I’ve played in a Pistons’ jersey. So just kind of enjoying it. Enjoying the ride. I’m going to be a leader and make a playoff run. We want to try to win a championship. So that’s kind of the goal. I think just building off and trusting each other. We really come together as a family, like we’ve kind of talked about in the last little while. The tightest groups tend to be the ones that have success, so I think that we’re in a good spot right now to try to carry that on through the playoffs.”
Upcoming games
Noad is set to lead the Pistons into a pair of contests this week, both at the Southeast Event Centre. Wednesday night, the Selkirk Steelers come to town, and that is followed up by a matchup against the always pesky Neepawa Titans on Saturday.
Article provided by Steinbachonline.com – Picture courtesy of Patrick Friesen
