Everything looks great on paper.
The stat line looks solid with one exception……games played.
Jacob Steinman and Keegan Warren have no doubt been one of the main reasons for the Moncton Wildcats success and record in 2023-2024.
Both netminders are sporting sub 3.00 GAA’s and have stood tall between the pipes, but that trend will have to continue if the Cats want to claw their way to a long playoff run.
There’s no question, Steinman can carry the bulk of the load, but the real question is should he? The answer to that is no.
The 19 year old backstop needs to be at his sharpest when it matters most. Every goaltender wants the net no matter what, and everyone realizes points are at a premium, but Dan Lacroix and the entire Cats organization needs to make sure their blue chip free agent signee and number one is ready, composed and healthy for the start of the playoffs.
As it stands right now, the standout sophomore backstop has appeared in 28 of the teams 37 games. Obviously, that’s way too many games. We are all familiar with the kind of pressure those that don the jersey are under especially when it comes to that position in the Hub City, but there comes a time where you have to give “your guy” some time to rest and recharge. There also comes a time where your young up and comer has to get an opportunity to play a few games in a row to get into a rhythm.
Jacob Steinman is the backbone of the Moncton Wildcats and he will be the backbone for the organization next season in what’s shaping up to be an “all in” season for an organization starved for a championship.
Points and wins are at a premium, but there has to be some long range thought to the fact of resting their number one.
Steinman has had quite the run of consecutive games played over the last two years, but a fresh Jacob Steinman could be an extremely valuable commodity come playoff time.
Warren has had some very solid starts, but he needs to see the net more often to ensure he continues to develop at the QMJHL level.
By no means should there be a goalie controversy in the Hub City, but Keegan Warren needs to play, he needs to be exposed to the pressure associated with a stretch run and to experience the intensity of the second half.
31 games remain.
How many games will Steinman play?
How many games will Warren play?
Having two solid goalies is a definitely a massive strength for any organization.
You could play the “What if,” game nonstop. What if Steinman gets hurt?
What will this final stretch look like for Dan Lacroix and the Moncton Wildcats if things don’t go well?
Whenever there’s a lopsided amount of games played between netminders there’s always going to be speculation surrounding the root cause of that. Some goalies get wrapped up in that and it throws of their entire mindset, psyche and structure.
Keegan Warren needs to play to develop and become a solid netminder at this level.
Jacob Steinman needs to play in order for the Cats to solidify their place within the upper echelon of teams in the league.
That’s the dilemma Lacroix and the Cats are currently confronted with.
Obviously, some organizations map out their start patterns at the beginning of the season and perhaps the Cats are following that to the letter, but it’s a slippery slope especially in the second half a season filled with high expectations.
The Cats aren’t in a “load management” scenario, but you can’t set the other guy up for failure either coming down the stretch.
The Wildcats need a solid tandem in the second half which will no doubt set them up for what they hope will be a long playoff run.
Time will tell how everything will play out for the Cats.
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