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JayWhy · 02-16-2019, 10:16 PM

Like Shooting With A Scope

Bang!

In that moment, it feels like time is moving in slow motion. Honestly, for Craig Finley, it feels like it must be slower than even a movie could picture it. Out in the clearing, a ten-point buck stands in one moment. While it’s only a second later, it feels like ten – the deer drops.

“Not as clean as I’d have liked, but that’s a good grab,” said Finley.

The budding superstar of the Manhattan Rage spends his free time outside of the big city, which he says he was never really made for. Instead, he likes to focus his time on some of the simpler things in life. He reiterates this as he climbs out of the tree stand and examines the great outdoors. A long sigh, he knows even this area is doomed eventually with corporations and the government seizure of further property. For now, however, he enjoys doing his part to curb the growing deer population.

We reach the kill, it’s a lot cleaner than he originally thought. That seems to be a trend for Finley, a little doubt followed by great success. Somebody who people overlook, a quiet figure. He’s the only person described as the loudest person in a room where he doesn’t say a word. Feeling good about himself, Finley gives a huge smile and a little chuckle.

“You know, if I could, I’d put a scope on my stick,” says Finley with a laugh. “Who knows, maybe I’d hit a few more?”

It may sound like a silly concept, putting a scope on a hockey stick. After all, how would you even fit it and where would you put it to optimize it. Nonetheless, when Finley is on the ice it’s almost as if he actually does have a scope on his stick. It takes nothing more than a second for Finley, coming in as a trailer on a three-on-one or two, to identify the hole and fire to the back of the net – or better yet, make the goalie flinch for him before he makes him look silly.

Going into the season, he was expected to be just another piece in the puzzle. He was a person that would play just a few minutes – which he did, only 16.28 minutes per game – and hopefully contribute some offense along the way. No one predicted the explosion which happened.

“It’s interesting, that happened in juniors too,” says Finley. “I went into my second season just expecting to keep working and pushing forward, end up with 12 goals!”

Teams may note his size a bit, or focus on his physicality. They say he isn’t as motivated. They find reasons not to bet on him. Manhattan decided to take the bet, knowing he was close friends with their then soon-to-be Jesster Trophy winning James Dekens. Now just a few short seasons later, Finley is looking like an absolute superstar.

People say often how defensemen have it easier to get points. Stick them on the powerplay, they just fire at the net and let the rebounds flow. Finley heard it all, but mostly he’d be great at scoring but probably barely do much of anything with the limits on his minutes at play. He would never be a superstar, and wouldn’t be impactful beyond a powerplay role.

Well, let’s give you some SHL history here. Since S27, six defensemen have scored over 30 points in their rookie season. Obviously, it’s something that is “easy to do” as one would say. The five before Finley were Kelly RIvet, Alexis Metzler, John Ross, Jack Tanner and Bob Bergen. Among them, each played at least 20 minutes per game as opposed to Finley’s 16. In a demanding situation, Finley excelled.

“Honestly, I wasn’t even sure it was anything special,” says Finley. “I just went out there to do what I do best, shoot the puck and play defense.”

So the critics default to the other knock on him, worrisome defense. To which Finley balked this season, as he yielded a +8 rating with 66 shot blocks.

“If I get in front of it, I can turn it the other way,” responded Finley about his shot blocking prowess. “I’m not about hitting people, I don’t need to pull myself away or take myself out away from the puck. I’m going to turn it around the old-fashioned way by getting in front of it and taking it the other direction.”

Altogether, Finley excelled in a rookie season which yielded a Jesster Trophy nomination and a Rookie All-Star Team nomination as well.

Speaking of the Jesster, home from the hunt, Finley sits back with a friend who had a similar situation. Overlooked due to being more specialized, James Dekens was in the same spot as Finley joining the Rage. The two best friends from Michigan bonded over their experiences coming up in the United States development system. Now, they sit back for a beer as they play SHL 19 on their PS4.

“I’m absolutely thrilled for the guy,” says Dekens. “He’s the most deserving person for all of this. He’s something special, really, has a nose for the net and all.”

In that moment, Finley scored.

“And exactly my point, right there. He just has something about him, it’s always a perfect shot.”

Finley laughed and pondered for a moment. He’s had many instances where he fumbled the shot, or felt he had failed in some capacity. Only then to find out he had somehow hit the perfect spot, done the perfect move. Almost as if, there were a scope, the deer in the clearing and everything was in slow motion.

Quote:Word Count: 941

Not as long as the Alaska one, but one that I enjoyed just as much. I absolutely adore having Hats on the team and I had this idea a while ago for a story like this and just had to wait for the opportunity to make it. I hope you all enjoy it just as much.

An old man's dream ended. A young man's vision of the future opened wide. Young men have visions, old men have dreams. But the place for old men to dream is beside the fire.

Thanks to Jackson, Copenhagen, and Harry Hans!

GOING DOWN IN STYLE. TOAST4LYFE

vbottas17 · 02-16-2019, 10:49 PM

Love it, nice article JY

hats_4_days · 02-16-2019, 11:23 PM

Thank you @JayWhy for the nice article. it was a nice read

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