As the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League playoffs heat up, the 91大黄鸭 Chiefs will come to rely on all roster players heading into the post-season.
91大黄鸭鈥檚 back-up goalie Michael Toole has being quietly having a solid season serving as the Chiefs second string netminder. In 14 games played, Toole has 10 wins, one shut-out and a .898 save percentage average helping the Chiefs remain atop the division and one of the top five teams in the league.
鈥(The league) is a lot better than I thought it was going to be,鈥 said Toole in reflection of his first year in the KIJHL. 鈥淭he league has gotten way better. I鈥檝e had friends who played four or five years ago and it鈥檚 completely different.鈥
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Playing behind the strong Chiefs skaters has made Toole鈥檚 job easy, but it鈥檚 been playing along side Chiefs veteran goalie Braeden Mitchell that has really helped the Calgary-born player come into his own as a goalie in the league.
Toole said improving his skills from watching Mitchell has made things smooth.
鈥淭here is so much to learn there. I can鈥檛 really put words onto how great it has been having (Mitchell) here.鈥
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With less than a month remaining in the season, Toole and the Chiefs will look to peak at the opportune moment with the playoffs set to start at the end of February.
The Chiefs next play the Princeton Posse on Jan. 25.
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