2014 Draft Blog: Jordan Papirny Pt.3

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Earlier this season our radio audience and blog readers were introduced to Brandon Wheat Kings netminder Jordan Papirny. The Edmonton product was an In Studio guest on The Pipeline Show last summer then began writing his draft blog in the fall. Chapter One was released back in September. Chapter Two soon followed in October.

Then, as sometimes happens, the player got too busy, needed to stay focused, and the blogging suddenly stopped. It wasn't hard to figure out why as Papirny began playing more and more. 

As the playoffs began and the wheat Kings advanced past Regina, it finally gave us a chance to watch Papirny live and in person; the goaltender did not start either regular season game at Rexall Place between. It was well worth the wait as the Papirny put on a show despite an endless assault by the Oil Kings. 

Here now is Chapter Three from Jordan Papirny...

 

      
Hey everyone, this is my 3rd blog entry this season. 

A lot has happened since my last blog. We finished the season in 7th place in the Eastern Conference with 34 wins and 24 losses. After the regular season we immediately started preparing for our first round opponent, the Regina Pats. Heading into the series against our division rivals from down the highway 1, we expected a hard fought battle. 

In game 1 we got off to a hot start, scoring 4 unanswered goals in the opening period of the game. From there we played tight defensively, knowing they would come out strong the next 2 periods. We came out on top with a 6-3 victory. 

In game 2 it was time for us to pocket the victory from the night before and get back to work. We took a 4-1 lead after the first period and never looked back. Taking game 2 with a 8-4 victory. 

In game 3 at home, the Pats came out hard, taking a quick 4-1 lead but with great resiliency from our team, we fought our way back into the game and came out with a 5-4 win. 

In game 4 with the possibility of a sweep, we knew what we had to do. Going into the second intermission up 2-1, we needed to leave it all on the ice so we could end the series. Coming out strong we scored early in the 3rd and took a 5-1 win, for the series win. 

Next series was against the Edmonton Oil Kings. Game 1 and 2 we got shutout, falling behind in the series 2-0. Heading back to Brandon for the next 2 games,  we had to take it one game at a time. Falling 5-2 in game 3, we were up against the wall, facing elimination. We all had to leave it all on the ice for game 4 and fight to stay alive in the playoffs. 

 

We came out on top with a 5-2 victory and gave ourselves some breathing room. It was back to Edmonton for game 5. They got off to a 3-0 lead after the first period. We started to rally back in the third with a goal to make it 3-1 but they came out on top, finishing our season. 

Photo: Andy Devlin

This year I thought we proved a lot. We made it to the second round of the playoffs, opposed to last year's team, which missed the playoffs. We are only going to get stronger as next year approaches and really start to make strides to dominate and be a top team. 

From a personal stand point, I thought I learned a lot! I learned to be more calm and less aggressive as the year went on and I think that benefited me due to the fact that I would be giving up less second chance opportunities. 

 

This off-season is all about working on maintaining playing deeper in my net and getting stronger and faster around my crease. Everything that will help me prepare myself for the start of next season. 

Thanks for reading, Jordan

Jordan Papirny is listed at WHL.ca as being 6'0 and 170 lbs. The Edmonton native was drafted in the 1st round (22nd overall) by Brandon of the 2011 WHL Bantam Draft. NHL Central Scouting ranked him 24th among North American goaltenders prior to the start of the WHL playoffs.