NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – For the primary time in crew historical past, the New Mexico Ice Wolves are NAHL playoff sure.

The Ice Wolves inaugural season was interrupted by COVID, and the next 12 months pressured the crew to play its total season on the highway. Now in 12 months three, normal supervisor and head coach Phil Fox believes the adversity his gamers have confronted helped them perceive what it takes to achieve success.

“You understand the largest factor with a company is it’s a must to set up your tradition down right here,” Fox mentioned. “I feel this 12 months is the primary 12 months it actually took a twist the place the blokes purchased in. All people held one another accountable, made one another higher each single day and finally obtained out of this what we put in it.”

With a 38-17 report within the common season, the Ice Wolves clinched second within the South Division, which suggests internet hosting a playoff sport.

“Its cool, we’ve labored actually arduous each single day coming to the rink,” mentioned defensemen Aiden Emerson. “Its for positive been a grind however its been so enjoyable and we’re all tremendous excited to get this going.”

Along with the joy of the playoffs, the gamers nonetheless produce other issues to sit up for – getting observed. Many NAHL gamers be a part of the league as a technique to develop earlier than making the leap to the subsequent degree of hockey. Presently there are six gamers confirmed to play hockey on the subsequent degree. 5 will likely be occurring to Division I and one will likely be enjoying Division III, whereas many others stay in talks with faculties. For the gamers that haven’t sighed but, this may very well be a chance to get seen by some faculty packages.

“I imply you’d slightly have a winner in your crew than any person that by no means actually makes playoffs and stuff like that,” mentioned ahead Liam Guerin. “You desire a man that is aware of easy methods to win and is aware of easy methods to compete when it issues essentially the most. I’m positive that faculties see that and so they’re positively extra enthusiastic about taking a man that’s received one thing or executed one thing with their profession slightly than put up a bunch of factors and probably not do something.”

Step one within the playoffs will likely be towards the Wichita Falls Warriors in a finest of 5 collection. Sport one will likely be Friday night time a 6:30 at Outpost Ice Enviornment. Tickets for the primary two video games are at present nonetheless out there.