Wild times ahead for NAHL playoffs

WENATCHEE — It’s time when the games count even more and everything a team has done for 58 contests goes out the window.

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) Robertson Cup playoffs begin Friday and the Wenatchee Wild can take only one reminder of the 2009-2010 regular season campaign into their Western Division semifinal series against the Kenai River Brown Bears.

That is home ice advantage throughout the playoffs after earning the league’s best record (45-10-3, 93 points).

So their journey toward a hoped for NAHL title begins at the Toyota Town Center when the puck drops at 7:05 p.m. in the best-of-five series.

Game two will be on Saturday, also at 7:05 p.m.

The Robertson Cup Finals will be hosted by the Wild during the first week in May.

All divisional playoff winners and the hosts — the Wild — qualify.

“The big part of it is that it is exciting but it has to be a controlled intensity,” Wild coach Paul Baxter said. “It’s about being focused on the details and every shift is a big shift and you have to be ready for every one. You don’t know when the big play is coming.”

The Wild will not return to Kenai River for a game three or potential game four due to the teams’ prior commitment that the higher seed would host the entire series for travel cost considerations.

That won’t hurt since Wenatchee won five of the six matches played against the Brown Bears (12-40-6, 30) in the Town Toyota Center this season.

Wenatchee won 11 of the 12 overall meetings this year, outscoring the Brown Bears 52-23.

“My attitude is that I am only concerned with our best,” Baxter said. “We are not focusing on the opposition. We just need to do our best and we believe that our best is good enough.”

Leading the attack for Wenatchee is forward Jeff Jubinville who has 54 points on 27 goals and 27 assists and a plus 20 rating this season.

Forward Michael Di Puma (39 points, 18 goals, 21 assists, plus 19), defenseman Kyle Broie (38, 13, 25, plus 29), and forward Shawn Pauly (36, 17, 19, plus 11), all bring various degrees of options to the Wild’s attack.

“Our depth is important because we rely on everybody,” Baxter said. “We count on everybody not just those four guys. The balance we have is what we are about. If everyone is on top and competing it makes us a good team.”

Other regulars that Baxter can count on is forward Duncan McKellar (32, 14, 18, +19), forward Nathan Sliwinski (32, 13, 19, +15), and defenseman Adam McKenzie (31, 9, 22, +19).

“They are selfless for the most part and they appreciate each other and their roles and the others’ roles,” Baxter said. “They know that everybody has a responsibility. We are blessed that we don’t have guys who pout and moan when they don’t get ice time. They just go out and compete.”

Another big threat is forward Dajon Mingo who has 33 points in just 34 games played with 13 goals and 20 assists for a plus 21 rating) after coming over from Kenai River mid-season in a trade.

“He thought he had an opportunity to play on a team that is one of the contenders,” Baxter said. “He’s a congenial guy, good in the locker room, and he competes hard.”

For protecting the net, Baxter can count on lead goalkeeper Brandon Jaeger (29 games played, 22-3 record, 1.83 Goals-Against-Average, with three shutouts.

All that after stepping into the role halfway through the year following the departure of Mac Carruth to the Western Hockey League.

“Brandon’s been our most valuable player and probably in the league,” Baxter said. “I think he’s had two bad periods since he got here. He’s tremendously focused and his mental skills stand him apart. He’s loose but he has a great competitive edge.”

Brendan Jensen (17, 10-3, 2.09, 1) and Mac Carruth (16, 11-4, 2.42, 1) can also be counted on for important minutes between the pipes.

The Brown Bears are led by forward Johan Skinnars (39, 20, 19, -19),  and forward Brad Duwe (34, 16, 18, -18).

“They work extremely hard and we have to match their work ethnic and compete level,” Baxter said. “Then we have to trust the rest will take care of itself.”

In the other West semifinal series, No. 2 seeds, the Alaska Avalanche (32-19-7, 71) take on the Fairbanks Ice Dogs (32-22-4, 68). The two series winners will battle in the West Division championship series.

“We got 25 guys who love each other, compete for each other, and play hard for each other,” Baxter said. “It makes for a good team.”

2010 Robertson Cup Playoff West Division Semifinals schedule:

Wild vs. Kenai River

(all games at

Town Toyota Center)

Game 1: Friday, April 2

7:05 p.m.

Game 2: Saturday, April 3 7:05 p.m.

Game 3: Sunday, April 4  5:05 p.m.

Game 4: Tuesday, April 6  6:35 p.m.*

Game 5: Wednesday, April 7 6:35 p.m.*

* - if necessary.