Fontaine Gives Wild Quiet Spark In Playoffs
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- One of the fun things about the Stanley Cup Playoffs is watching to see who on the third and fourth lines, steps up and makes a name.
The Minnesota Wild is deep, and one of the people who has made his presence known is Justin Fontaine. As Mike Max reports, he's loving life in the postseason.
It was one of those memorable moments for Justin Fontaine. Any time you score a big goal in a big game, it is.
"Yeah I mean it wasn't the prettiest one but they all count and they're all huge," Fontaine said.
What he brings to the team is a quiet demeanor. They call him "Fonzie," but more than anything they call upon him to make plays on the fourth line.
"He's a great player. He really is," Charlie Coyle said. "He works hard. He's not the biggest guy out there but he'll get in your face. He'll go into the corners, he's not afraid to do that. Just those little plays that he makes."
In this match-up with Chicago, his role may get heightened because it's Blackhawks speed against Wild speed. And that's where "Fonzie" comes in. The Blackhawks play a style of game where they want to push it and make plays all the time.
Fontaine knows what that means.
"Situations you play in, you can adapt your game and the guys you play with also know with you what your task is supposed to be," Fontaine said. "If it's playing tight defensively and trying to make plays and stuff like that. So this time of year it's exciting."
But it's the playoffs, and playing at this level this time of year is pretty special.
"Yeah it's awesome. You work all year to be in these kind of positions and you've got to enjoy the process. Come game time you've got to be ready to go. It's a lot of fun.
