“We love each other and just want to play for each other and our town,” junior forward Liam McGlynn said as the postseason approaches and the boys varsity hockey team finds itself at a defining point in the season. With the section playoffs beginning Feb. 21, the Ponies are preparing for the most demanding stretch of the year. Junior forward Tyson Miller, senior goalie Gavin Bajda, senior center and assistant captain Luca Frascone, McGlynn and head coach Zanon shared insight into the team’s mindset as pressure builds. With goals set on Aldrich Arena and earning a return to the state tournament at Grand Casino Arena, the group is leaning on dedication, perseverance, teamwork and trust, all the values that have shaped the season from day one and will matter most as the margin for error narrows.
Rather than being defined by flashy wins or eye-catching stats, their postseason push has been built on daily habits and consistent preparation. From structured practices to tight late-game moments, the emphasis has remained the same: play disciplined hockey, stay connected and control games without needing everything to go perfectly. The Ponies believe that committing to their process for a full 51 minutes gives them the strongest chance to succeed when the stakes are highest.
“This group works extremely hard and has shown that we have the ability to take control of games by playing together in a detailed system,” Zanon explained.
That approach has been reinforced by the senior class, which understands how unforgiving postseason hockey can be. The pace increases, emotions run high and mistakes are magnified. For the leaders, the key is staying composed and unified, especially when momentum swings or adversity sets in. Their experience has helped shape a mindset focused less on style and more on results.
Frascone said the team’s mentality entering sections is straightforward: they want to win no matter what and aren’t concerned with how it looks, trusting that a season’s worth of preparation has given them the edge they need to advance.
As competition intensifies, the Ponies expect goals to be harder to come by. Players know tournament success is rarely about speed or highlight-reel plays, but about effort, toughness and persistence. Wearing opponents down play by play, both physically and mentally, often creates the opportunities that decide playoff games.
Miller described that for intense and more difficult games, “you’ve got to get a little more gritty, finish your checks and find harder ways to score goals because it won’t be pretty every time.”
That belief has carried through the entire roster, including underclassmen preparing for their first playoff experience. Veterans say the transition into section play has not required a drastic shift, because the expectation all season has been to play with urgency and purpose. Everyone understands their role and what is required once the puck drops.
“We need to play as a group, buy in, know and play our role and do it at a high level,” McGlynn added.
Defensively, this team relies on communication and cohesion. For Bajda, playing behind a structured, cohesive group provides calm in high-pressure situations. As he enters his final high school tournament, that stability has given him confidence in the team’s ability to respond when challenges arise.
Bajda also emphasized the importance of collective trust within the lineup by stating, “I trust my team a lot. I’ll do anything for them, and I know they’ll do the same for me.” This creates accountability and confidence across the ice. That shared belief allows everyone to focus on their responsibilities, entrusting that each player is prepared to step up in critical moments.
With the quarterfinals approaching, the team is entering the most important stretch of its season. Opponents are better prepared, games move faster and small moments, such as an untimely penalty, a missed play or a delayed line change, can determine outcomes. The Ponies plan to stay disciplined, communicate effectively and remain committed to their structure as postseason play begins. From this point forward, every game will decide how long the season continues. Preparation has laid the foundation, but execution will ultimately define this run and the legacy this group leaves behind.
