Issue 21-Content.Indd

......................................... ......................................... ......................................... CHRIS SUMMERS PLAYOFF BOUND!BY: JONATHAN KLIMENT As the season winds down, eyes in the and in every year but two, this team has stands and on the bench begin scoreboard played two rounds of postseason hockey. watching. Every day there is a new It is a luxury that not everyone preview section on the league website, experiences. Just ask Chris Summers. and it is as if there is a newly rejuvenated Despite an extensive junior and collegiate spirit throughout arenas across the résumé, Summers has only three games American Hockey League. of playoff experience as a pro. Those three It’s playoff time. contests came in 2013 with the Portland Pirates when they were swept out of the It is a favorite time of year for both fan first round against Syracuse. Despite the and player alike, as murmurs of “this is small sample size, the playoff atmosphere our year” rumble through the halls of left an impact on the veteran defenseman. the arenas of contending teams. Fans in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton have become “Things change, they change in every accustomed to cheering on their team aspect of the game,” Summers said. in the spring. The Penguins have been a “Every shift is do or die.” staple of the playoffs since 2002-03, PAGE 26 WBS PENGUINS — BREAKAWAY 2017-18 SEASON During his time in the professional ranks, “One of the biggest things Summers has played for the Phoenix Coyotes, San Antonio Rampage, Portland I was excited about at the Pirates, Hartford Wolf Pack and New York Rangers. This past offseason, the beginning of the season potential for postseason hockey was a coming into this year was point of emphasis for him while exploring free agency. When his contract knowing that this team in expired, he wasted little time and signed with the Penguins. particular has had success “One of the biggest things I was excited for many years” — #55 about at the beginning of the season coming into this year was knowing that As Summers finally gets the chance this team in particular has had success to satiate his playoff appetite, he will for many years, and to be able to be a have to continue to be not only a solid part of that is very exciting,” defenseman, but also a leader for the Summers said about his decision to Penguins. Wearing a letter on the front join the Penguins. of your chest comes with a higher set of expectations for the person wearing it. Success may be an understatement as it concerns Wilkes-Barre/Scranton “Guys are looking up to the older guys, Penuguins. Including three runs to the and there’s things they see that you may Calder Cup Final in 2000, 2004, and again not even recognize that they are in 2008, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton noticing,” Summers said of his continually plays a major role in the leadership role. “Making sure you’re AHL postseason. Sixteen consecutive doing the right thing at all times is appearances in the Calder Cup Playoffs is probably the most important thing. the AHL’s active record, and the Penguins That goes for the whole year, had made it to the second round six but especially playoffs.” straight seasons. That was, until last year, Both Chris Summers and the which was the first playoff run in a long Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are time in which that they didn’t advance seeking firsts in these playoffs. past the first series. For one, a victory. The other, a “(Last season) was a shock to everybody,” championship. There are a lot of things Summers said. “Playing against Wilkes- that contribute to a group’s long playoff Barre last year, I thought this was a team run, but one of the most important going to be contending in the finals. things to consider going into the 2018 Talking to the guys that were here for Calder Cup Playoffs, according to that last year, they were just as surprised, Summers, is depth. too. But I think that’s good for us. I think “It’s gonna be key, and that’s out strength that gives you that hunger, an emptiness as a group,” he said. “There’s certainly in your stomach that you want to try enough bodies here right now, enough and satisfy.” able bodies to make a good run.” WBS PENGUINS — BREAKAWAY 2017-18 SEASON PAGE 27.

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