Hawks forward lighting it up
Cam Lightfoot is playing some of his best hockey at the most important time of the season.
With the playoffs less than a month away, the Thorold Blackhawks forward is chipping in more consistently on offence than he has all season.
Lightfoot has collected at least one point in nine of the last 11 games with seven goals and seven assists over that span.
“I’m just getting some good bounces here,” Lightfoot explained. “I’m getting more ice time and playing a lot. I’m putting more pucks on the net and creating more chances.
“I’m having fun out there and enjoying what I am doing.”
Lightfoot, who collected six goals and 15 points in 30 games last season with the Blackhawks, is sixth in team scoring with 11 goals and 30 points.
“Last year, I struggled with some injuries a bit but this year I’m older and have more experience and I’m getting more chances and definitely more games played,” he said.
Blackhawks coach Scott Barnes has used Lightfoot in a variety of roles — he’s currently skating on a line with Brad Ditillio and Mario Zitella.
“It’s not like he got off to a slow start, but it was finding roles for everybody and guys sliding into their spots, and he’s become an all-systems guy for us,” Barnes said. “He wasn’t on the PP (power play) all year but he’s been on that for about the last month when I kind of changed things up. He’s getting the opportunity now.”
Barnes appreciates Lightfoot’s workmanlike approach.
“He’s been consistently chipping in all year long whether he’s been playing on a line that’s not getting as much ice or higher in the lineup, he plays the same way all the time,” Barnes said. “He’s a guy who can play anywhere in that lineup which is nice.”
Lightfoot joined the Blackhawks after playing minor midget for the Grey Bruce Highlanders. Barnes was scouring the hockey landscape for players and found Lightfoot thanks to a tip from scout and fellow Dunnville native Dave Chevrier.
“He was a guy who came in as a younger guy and now that he’s been with us for a bit, he’s steadily become a solid guy in the dressing room and a leader and has taken on a pretty good role for us,” Barnes said.
Lightfoot jumped at the chance to join the Hawks after growing up in Southampton, a small town of about 3,600 near Owen Sound.
“I’ve seen a bit of junior B back home and I thought I could make it into the league and fit in and do well,” he said. “I thought if I came here I’d have a good shot at some exposure and have some fun and experience a new area because I’m from the middle of nowhere, pretty much.”
Lightfoot, who turns 19 Feb.16, plans to enrol in school next year.
For now, he’s concentrating on finishing the season strong and getting ready for the playoffs.
“We’re pretending now we’re in a playoff series. We’re going out there and when it comes to the playoffs, we’ll be ready,” he said.
The Blackhawks, 22-16-2-2, play host to Pelham Thursday.
Hawk talk: Defenceman Nick Gidney, who suffered a nasty gash on his leg, had the stitches removed this week and is expected to be back in the lineup Thursday.
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