There probably isn’t a player on the Shaunavon Badgers roster that has a better appreciation for the provincial playoffs than Cory Poppy.
Especially when that provincial involvement includes a legitimate shot at winning an SHA title.

Poppy has played 13 seasons with the Badgers, and served as captain of the team for more than half of that tenure.
But as a life-long member of the community, Poppy's attachment to the Badgers dates further back than his senior experience.
He first started playing minor hockey in the Shaunavon system at the tender age of five and progressed up through the local ranks, eventually jumping from midget directly to senior, never once taking a winter break from the sport.
In fact, now 31 years of age, Poppy has spent more than a quarter century in a Badger uniform.
So it would be safe to say he is acutely aware of Shaunavon's futility at the provincial level.
Up until last season, the community had never won a Saskatchewan hockey title.
That goose egg was finally broken when the Pee Wee Badgers captured the 2008-2009 “C” division championship.
The Shaunavon senior Badgers, meanwhile, nearly scored their own breakthrough before dropping a pair of one-goal nail biters to Eston in a thrilling SHA championship final.
So it's understandable why Poppy isn't taking anything for granted.
“I’m really excited and looking forward to provincials,” he stated. “It was a lot of fun last year and hopefully we will have more success again this year.”
But Poppy also understands the fragile nature of a short series.
“It’s not like a seven game series,” he said. “In provincials, there is no room for error. Anything can happen in a two game series and if you come up against a hot goaltender you could be going home real fast.”
Despite the recognized dangers of a short series, Poppy is nevertheless hopeful about the team’s chances this season.
Some of that confidence is based on the Badgers' performance last year, when they won three different series on their way to claiming the southern championship.
Poppy said that experience was special, and one of the highlights of his Badger career.
He also knows that things could be very different this time around.
“Last year people really didn’t know too much about us and we kind of snuck up on teams,” he commented. “There was no pressure on us and we just gained more and more confidence as we kept getting deeper into provincials.”
“But this time, expectations are high, so there’s some added pressure,” he continued.
Skill wise, says Poppy, this particular provincial unit could be one of the deepest teams the Badgers have ever assembled.
Still, he was reluctant to talk about the team’s chances beyond their first round match  against a strong Rouleau squad.
While the roster looks very promising on paper, Poppy acknowledged the team will ultimately be judged by their performance on the ice and not by past accomplishments.
 “I think the most important thing for us is that we don’t get too overconfident,” he stated.
The Badgers will be in tough against Rouleau, who downed Shaunavon 5-4 this past Saturday in the opening game of the two-game, total point series.
The second game of the series will be played this Saturday (Feb. 6) at the Jubilee Arena.
Win or lose, however, Poppy is excited to be a part of the provincial experience.
“It was exciting last year just to be playing different teams, in different towns at a different level,” he said. “That was pretty special and a lot of fun.”
The gritty centre is more known for his defensive prowess than his offensive abilities.
“Let’s just say I know my role on the team,” he laughed. “My skill set isn’t as high as some of our other players. I look after my own first, provide a little leadership, and hopefully chip in the odd goal here and there.”
Poppy is one of only a handful of veterans on the team - assistant captain Ryan Wallis being another - who have had lengthy stints with the Badgers.
Another experienced veteran is Poppy’s brother, Jamie, the team’s goaltender who turned in a stellar performance during last year’s provincial run.
“He was very good for us down the stretch last year,” said Poppy. “He carried himself very well and really rose to the occasion.”
All three players have a Whitemud League title under their belts, but have never carried the banner as a provincial champion.
“For players like myself and Ryan - who you might say are in the twilight of their senior careers - it would be special to win a provincial title,” he added.
“It would be nice to raise a provincial banner in the Jubilee Arena before it goes down.”
“But we also know how tough it is to win at provincials,” he added. ‘There are a lot of good teams out there looking to do the same thing.”