Hello everyone:
Unfortunately, I'll be serving seven more games as part of a 10-game suspension I was given (after being assessed a match penalty and game misconduct for a check to the head of Peterborough defenseman Cole Fraser at 18:46 of the first period of a 5-3 win on Feb. 4). I was hit earlier in the game and retaliated, which I shouldn't have done. I'll have to learn from this. I'll return to the lineup on March 2, when we have eight games left in the regular season, so at least I'll be in the lineup for the stretch run.
I think we were starting to turn the corner at the time I was invited to participate in the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game (on Jan. 25). Right now, I think we're one of the hottest teams in the OHL, so even though I'm out, this team has been so driven. I think the team is still turning the corner and will continue to get better just because we've bonded so well by working the system.
I was watching the game from the stands the other day and it's just incredible how well we forecheck.
In our game against Oshawa (a 4-2 win), we really controlled the game and didn't look like a young team at all; we looked like a fast-paced, physical team that had a lot of veteran experience. Against Owen Sound (a 4-3 win), we got down by three goals and weren't playing our style in the first two periods. But we ended up coming back and scoring four goals in eight minutes and dominated in the third period. For us, it's all about getting into a mindset and continuing to get better each game.
Finally, I just want to say how much fun I had playing for Team Bobby Orr and our coach, Eric Lindros, in the Top Prospects Game. After that game, I had a four-game point streak (four assists) for Ottawa, so I really gained confidence coming out of that. I'm not one to get a lot of points, but the best thing I learned from that game was that I just need to go out there and play. It doesn't matter how good the other players on the ice might be; I have confidence in myself and my abilities. I kept telling myself that before the Top Prospects Game as well.
I didn't care what it took, I was going to score and I did. I learned you need to play your own game, try and have a big impact, and not just sit back and let it come to you.
One of the best moments of the game came a few shifts after I had scored. I came back to the bench and we were down a couple goals at the time and [Lindros] said to me, 'Come on, big boy, you have a couple more in ya?' I had about 16 family members and friends at the game, so that was great (Bahl was named Player of the Game for Team Orr).
Thanks for reading.
