Sapurji: Petes powering-up for post-season

Had the opportunity to talk with Peterborough Petes forward Austin Watson this week about the team's look ahead to the playoffs -- and since it's already 2-0 for the Majors vs. Belleville, I might as well use this time constructively.

Watson is coming off an ankle injury that sidelined him after blocking a shot at the CHL Top Prospects game in January where he broke his ankle. According to the centre, the break has healed well.

“The ankle is really good right now," Watson told the Star. "I still have a little bit of pain after games and a little soreness, but during play I don’t really notice it at all - it’s doing well.”

He says the most frustrating thing for him was sitting in the stands watching the Petes hit the skids with a 10-game losing streak when the team was also without fellow forwards Jack Walchessen and Ryan Spooner.

“Having to sit up in the stands and watch - not being able to do anything about it was terrible,” said Watson.

“Anytime you lose consecutive games in a row, it’s bad, but 10 (losses) in a row — that’s something we had a hard time getting out of," he added.

Since returning from the injury on Feb. 26, Watson has picked up points in all six games he's played -- an impressive seven goals and six assists for 13 points. And the Petes are currently on a three-game win streak, which has provided a boost to the team.

"...Our room is definitely a lot more upbeat, everyone’s a little happier and there’s a lot more confidence which is key for our team,” said the native of Ann Arbor, MI.

"It’s a lot of confidence for (goalies Jason Missiaen and Andrew D'Agostini) too. When you go on a losing skid goalies sometimes take it to heart a little bit, but I think they both have some confidence right now."

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