Thursday, April 7, 2005 | By Philip Croucher, Halifax Daily News

There's no denying the talent level of the Halifax Mooseheads.

But some wonder whether this team has enough grit, a component many teams have in lengthy playoff runs.

"Yeah, playoffs are about a lot of grit and we haven't played a playoff game with this team. No one can really say that," said Mooseheads defenceman Jimmy Sharrow.

"I think our grit is our speed, and obviously defensively we keep goals out of the net. We'll just see what happens on Friday and throughout the playoffs."

The Mooseheads have great speed and playmaking ability, and won't shy away from the physical style. But the Mooseheads aren't very big or intimidating either, especially up front, which could lead to problems in the playoffs. Games get tighter and there isn't as much room to move.

"Last year with (the) Tampa Bay (Lightning), people were saying 'God, theyre not gritty enough.' But every guy was finishing their checks and I think it's the same thing for us too," said Mooseheads forward Frederik Cabana.

"We're all going for one goal and we're going to do everything to get there."

Cabana is someone the Mooseheads will count on to bring that gritty style to the ice. The 18-year-old Philadelphia Flyers draft pick is great at getting under the skin of opposing players, whether it be through physical exchanges or verbal ones.

Also contributes on offence

Cabana brought this style to the playoffs two years ago, and enjoyed a great postseason. Not only did he effectively play the role of a pest, Cabana also contributed on offence by scoring seven goals.

"You need grit in the playoffs, but you have to be intelligent about it too," said Cabana. "Sometimes guys, after whistles, just start punching and give the (other team) power plays. So then skilled guys go on and go score goals. You can win or lose the game by power plays. You have to be intelligent."

Kevin Cormier, Austin Corredato, Alexandre Picard and Franklin MacDonald are some of the others the Mooseheads will need to play that gritty style.

Halifax will kick off its postseason tomorrow night against the Gatineau Olympiques.

"I find we have a lot of guys that have a lot of passion for this hockey club. A lot of desire for this hockey club to succeed," said Mooseheads general manager Marcel Patenaude.

"A lot of our guys want the team to succeed for the fans, for the city, for everything."

Intensity high in scrimmages

During the team's two-and-a-half week layoff, Mooseheads coach Al MacAdam held several scrimmages at Metro Centre, including a three-on-three tournament. And in those games, things sometimes got chippy, and the intensity level was high.

"It shows the guys are battling," Sharrow said. "You don't want to take it easy, not having a game situation. We haven't played a game in almost three weeks.

"I think if you notice out there, it's a lot of the guys that don't play who are battling really hard. They're trying to make the lineup ... and the rest of the guys are trying to get in game shape."