After shining on the world stage, the best is still to come from St. Albert Steel all-star Reed Linaker.
"I feel I can bring a lot more to the team now just by knowing what it takes to get to that next level by playing for Canada West," said Linaker of his recent experience at the World Junior A Challenge in Penticton, B.C. "It was probably the best two weeks of my life hockey-wise. I got to play against a lot of great hockey players. It was pretty intense and a lot faster than what I'm used to here."
Linaker's contributions included two goals and one assist while patrolling right wing.
"I thought I played well," he said. "I was brought in to probably score. I played on one of our top two lines and a bit on the power play."
The Canada West line-up was comprised of seven Alberta Junior Hockey League players, as well as representation from the junior A circuits in British Columbia (eight), Saskatchewan (three), Manitoba (three) and the Superior International league (one).
The roster included Craig Bokenfohr, a defenceman with the Camrose Kodiaks and midget AAA product of the St. Albert Raiders.
One of the assistant coaches was Andrew Milner, a former player and coach for the St. Albert Saints and the current bench boss of the Canmore Eagles.
In the six-team tournament Canada West played Russia and Switzerland in group B. Canada East, Sweden and the United States were in group A.
In the medal round the United States defeated Canada East 6-4 for its third gold medal in three years. Switzerland took the bronze medal with an 8-3 rout of Canada West.
"Obviously it's disappointing we didn't get a medal but it was still a great two weeks," Linaker said.
Canada West finished 2-2 and failed to make the final for the first time in the tournament's five-year history.
"We were definitely planning on making the gold medal game. I think we probably could have. We were definitely one of the top teams there," Linaker said. "In the round robin we slipped up against the Swiss and ended up losing [5-4] in overtime. That ultimately cost us because then we had to go through the Americans in the semis, which was not ideal and we ended up losing that game [5-1]. They were definitely a class above everybody. They were a strong hockey team from the goal on out. Their D was so good. They also came out with so much firepower."
In the bronze playoff the Swiss scored six times in 12 minutes in the third period to cap off an impressive tournament debut.
"After the second period we were tied at two apiece and then it just kind of all fell apart from there," Linaker said. "The Swiss were a lot better than people give them credit for. They had a really strong team too."
Linaker's first goal of the tournament was a memorable marker in the round robin against the Swiss during a furious comeback as Canada West erased deficits of 3-0 after two periods and 4-2 with 12 minutes to go.
"We got a couple of late ones and I tied it up with [6:43] left. It was probably the best goal I ever scored. The place just erupted. It was a great feeling," he said. "It was kind of a broken down play. My linemate, Brendan O'Donnell, passed me the puck and I kind of broke in on a two on one. I went to the backhand and slipped it past the goalie [Lukas Meili] and it was hectic from there on."
Linaker also scored against Russia to make it 2-0 en route to a 4-2 win on the strength of a pair of third-period goals.
Offensive flash
After the tournament ended Linaker didn't suffer any emotional letdown upon his return to the Steel.
"You've still got quality hockey players at this level. It's definitely not a step down. It's obviously a little slower but you've got to use that to your advantage. You need to keep that pace going you were using a couple of weeks ago. You have to keep bringing it and hopefully contribute more here," said the second leading scorer in Steel history with 148 points, on 67 goals and 81 assists in 123 games.
In his first game back Linaker was held pointless but did rack up an uncharacteristic 32 minutes in penalties in the 5-3 loss to the Lloydminster Bobcats (17-13) in the Border City.
Last weekend he picked up one assist and scored the shootout winner as the Steel shaded the Bonnyville Pontiacs 4-3 at Performance Arena. After a scoreless five minute three-on-three extra period, Linaker beat Julien Laplante in the shooter versus goalie showdown. Steel netminder Rhys Hadfield was rock solid, stopping all three Bonnyville shooters. It was the team's seventh victory decided in an extra stanza and the second by shootout. It was also the third time St. Albert beat the Pontiacs (19-6-0-6) after regulation time.
"It was an average game but we played hard," Linaker said. "We probably should've won it in regulation but gave up a late goal [with 1:33 to play]. In overtime we generated the most chances and then in the shootout Rhys was unbeatable."
The next night Linaker deposited his 11th goal and had one assist for 27 points in 16 games, as the Steel prevailed 6-5 over Canmore (13-15-0-3) in St. Albert. The Steel posted period leads of 3-1 and 5-2.
"In the third period things kind of tailed off for us. We got into a lot of bad habits and it almost came back to bite us but ultimately we got two points, which was key," said Linaker, who was flanked by Taylor Fraser (15-16-31) and Spencer Pommells (11-18-29) on the top line during the weekend homestand.
Last night the Steel hosted the Spruce Grove Saints (22-2-0-3), ranked first overall in the Canadian Junior Hockey League, but the score was unavailable at press time.
"We're obviously the underdog in that game but if we play hard, get some good goaltending and chip in here and there we can possibly beat them," Linaker said. "We have to stay positive and keep playing the way we're playing."
Tonight the Steel face off against the Kodiaks (18-10-0-2), the host team for the 2011 Royal Bank Cup, at 7:30 p.m. in Camrose.
"Camrose has a good team but we're strong as well. We have similar records," Linaker said. "We've got to work hard for 60 minutes and breaks will happen."
