Brendan Barry had all day to think about his first career BCHL playoff start April 2.
The Penticton Vees rookie goalie spent most of it thinking about how he would play and felt nerves on the ferry.
“I was nervous at the start. After I made the first save there I kind of got into it,” said Barry, who turned aside 33 shots in a 2-0 loss against the Nanaimo Clippers. “My teammates helped me out, complimented me on saves. It was a big crowd (1,821 at Frank Crane Arena). I kind of owned the moment and I thought I did pretty well.”
As did his net minding partner Hunter Miska, who was given the day off after the Vees had already clinched their spot in the Fred Page Cup championship.
“He came in and did his job. He gave our guys a chance to win the game,” said Miska.
Barry, who led the B.C. Major Midget League’s Okanagan Rockets to a bronze medal in the Telus Cup last season, had fun facing the skilled and speedy Clippers.
“A lot of good second chances and I loved it. It was awesome,” said Barry, whose father is NHL player agent J.P. Barry.
Barry, 17, who is committed to the Clarkson University Golden Knights for 2017-18, got his first taste of playoff action in the second round against the Vernon Vipers. He came in to relieve Miska for four minutes and allowed one goal on four shots. Barry said last year’s run with the Rockets helps him but this year is different with bigger guys and bigger shooters.
“It’s harder but I like the challenge,” said Barry, whose favorite goalie is Montreal’s Carey Price.
Before his first start, Barry received helpful advice from Miska, who he teamed up with to form the BCHL’s best tandem.
“He just told me to keep it calm, said you’re good, you can do this,” said Barry.
Miska said it can be tough to be ready when a goalie hasn’t seen a lot of action, especially in the playoffs when there is less practice time. The six-foot, 175 pound crease protecter impressed Miska with his confidence.
“We just couldn’t score any goals. We had a couple off the post,” said Miska. “I thought we deserved to win that game.”