OHL North Bay Battalion

First goal a load off for Lynes

Published on October 13, 2004 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
North Bay Battalion News Release


BRAMPTON, Ont. – Luke Lynes's first Ontario Hockey League goal brought more relief than excitement to the rookie Battalion left winger.

The Ellicott City, Md., resident opened the scoring in the first period of a 5-1 victory Monday over the visiting Toronto St. Michael's Majors.

"The guys were asking me how pumped I was about it, but it was more of a huge relief to get it out of the way," Lynes said Tuesday. "I felt that, after I scored, I played much better the rest of the game."

Lynes, who turns 17 on Nov. 28, had scoring chances earlier this season but said he felt he was getting better opportunities once he started going to the net, in keeping with a conversation with coach Stan Butler.

"I was talking to Stan about it, and we felt I had to get to the net more. In the last few games, I found I had some good chances because I was getting in closer."

Lynes, chosen in the third round of the 2004 OHL Priority Selection from Culver Military Academy in Culver, Ind., started camp as a centre but moved to left wing.

"The same thing happened in my first year at Culver," said Lynes, who scored 32 goals and added 29 assists for 61 points in 46 games with the Eagles last season.

"I'd been a centre all my life, but I found I was behind the play a lot on the rush because I was working down low. I figured if I moved to wing I'd be up with the rush and I wouldn't have to use so much energy in the defensive zone, and I could work in the offensive end, which I think is my forte. I talked to Stan about it, and he agreed with the move. I might move back to centre, but things are going well on the wing."

Lynes has found a home skating alongside centre Howie Martin and right winger Patrick Sweeney. The trio enjoyed a fine outing against Toronto, contributing two goals after creating a number of scoring chances, particularly during a late second-period shift when they kept the Majors hemmed in their own zone.

"That was a huge game for our line," said Lynes, who has been playing with Martin and Sweeney for the last four games.

"It was too bad we didn't bury one that shift, because we had some chances. I think that was a huge shift for our team because they had some momentum going, and I think we took it all away with that shift because they had to call a timeout at the end of it.

"We've been getting chances since we've been together, but that game we were really clicking. It's great to play with those guys. They've both been in the league, and I've been talking to them. I hope this line can stay together for a while."

Lynes said he sees a lot of similarities between his game and Martin's.

"Howie is a great guy to play with," Lynes said of the third-year veteran. "He can get you the puck and make things happen. I think I play a lot like him."

Lynes said that the adjustment to the OHL from high school hockey has been a big one, on and off the ice.

"It's a huge adjustment as far as the style of play goes, but one of the biggest adjustments you have to make is off the ice. Here you play a pro-type schedule, but at school we played on the weekends. Here we go on the road and practise every day. It puts a lot of stress on your body and you have to be prepared for it. I think I'm adjusting well."

Lynes said his older teammates have been telling him to be patient and his offensive numbers will improve.

"We have a great group of guys, and they've made the adjustment so much easier. Ryan Oulahen was telling me that whatever points I got at the beginning were a bonus. I just need to be patient like guys like Tyler Harrison and Brock McPherson, who are two good examples of guys who've paid their dues.

"Every guy comes to this league as a big shooter from their former team, but once you get here you have to start as a role player. You have to be patient in this league. There's only so many forward spots out there, but I'm really happy playing with Martin and Sweeney because anytime you can get contributions from your third line it's huge for the team."

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from October 13, 2004


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