CRANBERRY TWP, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Think of your 19th birthday. What did you do to celebrate? Imagine being 2,650 miles from home on your birthday sitting next to Sidney Crosby trying to regroup after a Game 1 playoff loss.
There was Ben Kindel at the UPMC Lemieux Complex after being one of the last off the ice at practice. He called his first playoff game Saturday an intense, fun, great experience crediting the crowd with bringing a lot of energy.
Then he was asked about fixing the mistakes from that one and be ready for Game 2 at home Monday night.
“Not the result we wanted, obviously there are things we want to improve,” Kindel said. “Probably got away from our game a little bit there. I think if we just stick to our structure that we’ve playing all year, stick to those intangibles. We will look to have more success (Monday). Just try to get back to our game.”
It was a crash course for the rookie on not just the Stanley Cup playoffs, but doing it against the long-time rival. A matchup that brings its own emotion against a Flyers group looking to take you out of your game.
“Try to have a good mindset and stay disciplined,” Kindel said. “They have a few guys there that are looking to agitate. I think we just got to try and stay away from that and stay away from that stuff.”
It’s not that Kindel at 5’11”, 182 pounds is afraid of the physicality. He said he embraces it and said you have to match the physical play. Kindel didn’t shy away from his own contact on 6’4”, 220-pound Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen after he knocked Elmer Soderblom over.
“It doesn’t matter your size or the size difference,” Kindel said. “No matter why, you got to play bigger than you are and engage physically and not back down. I think that’s important to show that you are strong, show the other team you aren’t going to back down. It’s a mental game as well.”
Trailing 1-0 in the series, the Pens are at home Monday and then a pair of games in Philadelaphia.
“I don’t think anyone is panicking in here,” Kindel said. “Came to the rink (Sunday), it was a regular day today and looking to get the job done (Monday). (Monday) is a new day, new game. It’s a long series.”
After leaving the practice rink, the rest of Sunday is his birthday. What is he going to do?
“Not much, obviously a big game tomorrow, going to keep it pretty chill.”
The rookie said he’s not going to back down, just need to play their game
The rookie said he’s not going to back down, just need to play their game
