Colby Cave is determined to make sure that his sophomore campaign with the American Hockey League’s Providence Bruins lasts as long as possible.
The 22-year-old Battleford forward is currently competing in the Calder Cup playoffs, as his team is tied up at one with the Hershey Bears in their best-of-seven second round series.
“Everyone on the team wants to be playing until June and we’re ready to do whatever it takes in order to achieve that,” Cave said.
“We’re just sticking with the game plan on a nightly basis. If there are a couple of bad bounces that don’t go our way, we’re all staying patient and not letting that bother us. I have a really good feeling about this group and I think we can go really far in the playoffs.”
After finishing the regular season with a 43-23-6-4 record to earn the fourth seed in the Atlantic Division, the Bruins had to go up against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the first round.
In a rematch of last year’s opening round series that saw the Penguins win in three straight games, the Bruins came away with the upset as they knocked out the AHL’s regular season champions in five games.
“It was quite a battle between us in those five games,” Cave said. “Our power play was clicking, as I think we finished around 29 percent, and our leadership group really stepped up as the experience they have really carried the way for the rest of the team.
“Our goaltending was amazing as well. Zane (McIntyre) stole the show in the last game as he was a brick wall for us.”
Cave has also contributed during the post-season, as he has a goal and three assists in seven playoff games.
“I’ve been playing with Colton Hargrove and Peter Mueller here lately and we’ve done pretty well together,” Cave said.
“I’ve played with Colton for the last year and we have pretty good chemistry. Peter’s a veteran with tons of NHL experience, and having a guy like that is huge for our entire lineup.”
Cave, who signed an entry-level deal with the Boston Bruins in April 2015 following four seasons with the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League, is coming off of another solid season in the AHL.
After putting up 29 points in his rookie campaign, Cave had 13 goals and 22 assists in 76 games for the Bruins in his sophomore season.
“There have been some ups and downs production wise with some good weeks and some bad weeks, but as whole I thought the season has gone really well,” Cave said.
“I have to give a lot of the credit to my teammates and the coaching staff for allowing me to have an opportunity with this organization. It’s a tremendous feeling to be a part of the Bruins and the staff here really allows you to enjoy the game and have fun out there.”
As the Bruins look to win their first Calder Cup championship since 1999, Cave feels the mix of youth and experience on the roster will play a key part in their success.
“Everyone in the lineup can step up to play a major role,” Cave said. “We have young guys like Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen really stepping up for us on offence right now and then you have the older guys that set the tone for everyone with what they do on a nightly basis.
“It’s a total team effort at this time of year if you want to have a chance to win at title.”
The Bruins will be back at home Thursday night for Game 3 of their best-of-seven affair with the Bears.
