By JACOB ROBINSON, SIMCOE REFORMER
Updated 1 day ago
HAMILTON -- Games of the local American Hockey League's Hamilton Bulldogs have long been a popular destination for local sports fans, and last Friday's contest in particular was special for more than one reason.
In town was the Albany Devils -- coached by Simcoe's Rick Kowalsky and whose roster includes Kory Nagy of Langton. Of the 3,600 fans that attended Copps Coliseum, a good portion of them hailed from Norfolk County.
While Kowalsky has taken part in games in Hamilton as a pro, this was a first for Nagy, and his Langton fans weren't about to let the occasion pass without a celebration of sorts. The Langton Minor Hockey Association worked closely with the Bulldogs to put together a special night for the organization which included discounted tickets, part of the proceeds from the game's 50/50 draw (winning ticket value of $1,675) and chuck-a-puck contest.
One corner of the rink was decked out almost entirely with black and yellow Leafs jerseys and jackets, and even some signs showing support for their local pro.
"It's really cool to see the local kids come out and the town put something on for me like that," the 22-year-old Nagy said after the game. "I'm proud to be from Langton and to have grown up playing there. It's cool to see the town support me like that and come out."
After spending time shuffling between the East Coast Hockey League's Trenton Devils and the AHL Devils last year, Nagy has remained with Kowalsky's club full time this season. He was in the lineup on Friday, playing left wing alongside linemates Darcy Zajac and Nathan Perkovich.
From his first shift -- where several fans in the Langton section could be seen pointing him out -- Nagy and his line created energy in the offensive zone, and helped bring momentum to their club with some big hits during a 4-2 win.
The Devils don't make a trip to Hamilton each year, so when the AHL schedule was released, Nagy had the game circled on his calendar.
"Definitely this one and Toronto were big (games) on my calendar. I was just fortunate I could play in front of them and felt like I did pretty good, hopefully they enjoyed it," Nagy said.
"Whenever we got out there it seemed like we generated a lot of energy. That's kind of what we're out there to do -- throw some bodies around and just get the pucks low and try and shovel one in and if we get a goal it's kind of a bonus. Just keep the puck working down low ... I felt like I had a pretty good game which is nice."
In his second season as the Devils coach, Kowalsky was also greeted afterwards by plenty of friends and family that made the trip -- something they've done a few times throughout his career.
"Being close to home and having the family support is great. Obviously there's a lot of friends and relatives up here and it's also special being back in this building. I played a lot of junior games in this building and have a lot of fond memories ... Its always been a special place," said Kowalsky, who suited up for the former Hamilton Canucks in his first AHL season.
"There's quite a few people here and we were glad to get a win for them tonight."
Kowalsky had to be a happy man as it looked the game might be a runaway early in the second when Albany built on their two-goal lead by adding another. The home team showed some fight before the middle frame was out though, scoring twice to make it 3-2. In the third, Albany buckled down defensively, and added an empty netter to seal the win.
In what turned out to be a massive win for the Devils, who are currently engaged in a dogfight for a playoff spot within the AHL's Eastern conference, Kowalsky gave Nagy full marks for a strong performance.
"I thought he was physical, (had) energy, skated well -- that's what he brings," Kowalsky said, adding his fellow Norfolk native has carved out a nice reputation on the left side.
"He's had limited ice time -- in and out of the lineup -- but every time he was in he was physical and he has a little bit more gas in the tank when he plays the wing ... he had some big hits tonight and their line cycled the puck well and he did is job, which is the bottom line and I was glad to be able to get him in the lineup tonight knowing that obviously he was going to have lots of family and friends here."
The Devils went on to win all three games this past weekend, and currently sit ninth in the East with a record of 22-19-8. With 26 dates left on Albany's schedule, Nagy is hoping his performance in front of a "hometown" crowd in Hamilton will carry over to the stretch drive.
"Just play my game, bringing energy every night," he said of his focus. "Just try and be that guy that doesn't play every shift but when I get out there I've got to be willing to go in the corners and dirty areas of the ice, in front of the net and stir up some stuff."
Jacob Robinson
519-426-3528 ext. 121
Jacob.robinson@sunmedia.ca
Source: http://www.simcoereformer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3475430
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