This will be Lonan Bulger鈥檚 final season of junior hockey and he鈥檚 going out with quite the bang.
The 20-year-old defenceman, who plays with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, has been turning more than one head with his recent play. As of press time, Bulger leads the Wolverines in scoring with 42 points in 36 games and has been a big reason as to why the Wolverines are where they are in the West Division standings: top spot with 52 points, one better than the Dauphin Kings as of Wednesday.
They were scheduled to take on the Neepawa Titans on Tuesday but that game was postponed due to bad road conditions.
Is Bulger surprised with how he鈥檚 been doing this season? He said that may not be the right word to use.
鈥淚鈥檓 really happy with where I am right now,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 just continuing to improve and get better and keep ourselves on top, make the other teams chase us.鈥�
Thirty-three of Bulger鈥檚 42 points have come courtesy of the assist, meaning he鈥檚 been setting up plenty of goals, and he said a majority of those helpers have come courtesy of point shots.
鈥淭here鈥檚 been some on passing plays and open shots but a good chunk have been tip-ins,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur guys are getting in good position and it鈥檚 been paying off for us.鈥�
It鈥檚 been a breakout season of sorts for Bulger. Before this campaign, he had put up just seven points in 47 games over two seasons; last season was cut short due to the pandemic. There is another Yellowknifer on the team in the form of goaltender Liam Tereposky and he鈥檚 been solid between the pipes this season. His record stands at 16 wins, seven regulation losses and two overtime losses.
Not counting Tuesday鈥檚 postponement, the Wolverines have been riding a five-game winning streak and eight wins out of their last 10. That means a happy locker room.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really upbeat around here and winning always helps,鈥� said Bulger. 鈥淭he community is getting really excited and it just feels really good to be coming to the rink these days. Seems like we can鈥檛 do much wrong these days but we鈥檝e got some tough teams coming up.鈥�
Indeed, they do as four of the Wolverines鈥� next five games will be against the Swan Valley Stampeders, one of the teams chasing the Wolverines, followed by four games in eight days versus Dauphin.
Bulger said those eight games will go a long way in determining where the team will end up heading into the post-season.
鈥淩egular season and playoffs are two totally different brands of hockey,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou use the same sets (in regular season play) to see where you are and that鈥檚 crucial because you鈥檒l have to defend against leads in the third period or work from behind to either tie or take the lead. It鈥檚 good to start thinking like you鈥檙e in a playoff game and that鈥檚 how you get yourself ready.鈥�
