Odnokon has championship memories in Halifax

After going 3 -1 in the double round-robin, the Raiders were victorious in the final with a 6-2 victory over Belleville.

Odnokon remembers a talented Prince Albert lineup that year.

“We had James Patrick, the Canadian hockey player of the year in his only year here. We had three or four Olympians, four guys who went pro, and probably 12 to 14 that went on to play college in the States or in Canada, so it was a pretty loaded team,” Odnokon said.

As for on-ice memories, one moment stands out for him in the third period, as a teammate and well-known Raider alumnus sealed the deal.

“I remember we were up 5-2 in the third and Peter Anholt came down on a breakaway. He had the whole glove side and he shot it blocker side, right into the corner of the net. It was the best shot I’ve ever seen,” he recalled.

The tournament was played in the same building that is hosting this year’s Memorial Cup, although it has seen some changes over the last 38 years. Then known as the Halifax Metro Centre, the arena had just opened three years prior in February of 1981.

“Well, there were no skyboxes and it was all red seats and concourse, a big cavernous building and a really nice place in the city. We stayed right nearby,” Odnokon recalled.

He said some of the greatest memories came off the ice.

“The things I remember are Bobby Lowes’ dad and a couple other dads being referred to as “Captain Flatlanders” not ‘Highlanders’. I remember visiting Peggy’s Cove, seeing the Citadel and all the sights around here,” Odnokon said.

“When we get together, things start to come back. Guys bring up different things, you remember them, everybody just kind of feeds off the memories like the late-night raids of the ice cream in the kitchen and things like that.”

All these years later, Odnokon gets to see things from a different perspective – now as a coach.

For instance, during Monday’s game seven for the WHL Championship against Vancouver at the Art Hauser Centre, Odnokon didn’t know what to do with himself during overtime.

“Well, we got that penalty [in overtime for delay of game] so I left the press box and went down to the dressing room. I came out and [strength coach] Terry Lange was walking down and I was walking up. I watched the winning goal right from that end. I got a great chance to see it. I didn’t see the puck go in, but I saw the play, and that’s where my sightline was,” Odnokon said.

As a long time member of the organization, he’s been relishing this playoff run and has a great appreciation for what it means to the Raiders.

“My first feeling when we started rolling here in the playoffs was, we’re going to be financially stable, we’re going to have a good following, and we’re back on solid footing here with Mike Scissons and Curtis Hunt and what they’ve done,” he explained.

“But as the guys keep rolling on and on you see the confidence grow as they go through the little battles that they have to win, and the adversity, and boy they’ve really risen to the occasion. To see us back there at this level is outstanding for the organization and the city, and all the alumni are excited. All of them.”

Following an opening night loss to the host Halifax Mooseheads, the Raiders will look for their first win of the Memorial Cup on Monday night against the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies.

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trevor.redden@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Trevor_Redden

by Trevor Redden

Odnokon has championship memories in Halifax

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