There were plenty of compliments for Lane Hutson after his brilliant performance Tuesday night in Utah.
In a 5-3 win, the first-year defenseman collected three assists and maintained a +3 rating.
Head coach Martin St-Louis even allowed himself to call him an “elite player” when he was asked about the play that Lane made to allow Kirby Dach to score the first of his two goals.
“Elite players are able to read situations and attract two or three opposing players to make plays,” said the pilot during his post-match press briefing.
“In this game, he took no risks. He deals with what he sees on the ice and he plays hockey. Lane, he plays hockey and on both ends of the ice.”
“It’s not like he’s on the ice outside and just wants to get points. We know he can do that. Lane learns how to manage matches. He had a good game tonight.”
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“I don’t think he plays like a rookie. “It’s certain that he’s still adapting to a league that’s difficult, and not just on the ice.”
“He gives us very good hockey and not just offensively. He is very committed. He really helped us in tonight’s match,” added St-Louis.
No luck
Dach was also full of praise for his young 20-year-old teammate.
“He no longer surprises us. We see all the effort he puts in during practice and off the ice. It’s not luck if he’s good like that,” stressed number 77.
“He wants to dominate every game. You want to have guys like him on your team. He’s making a difference, and has been doing so for several months now.”
For Dach, it was a second two-goal game this season. He also had the pleasure of moving the strings twice in the same game on December 28 against the Florida Panthers.
For St-Louis, the 23-year-old Saskatchewanian emerged from the torpor he experienced in the first half of the season.
“You can see Dach has more speed. He is progressing. He built his confidence little by little,” said the head coach of Sainte-Flanelle.
