It's just about playoff time in the NHL and fans across the Kivalliq are buckling up to cheer on their favourite team on its quest for the Stanley Cup.

Barney Tootoo, 77, of Rankin Inlet, may not have chased the Stanley Cup, but he had his day chasing the Allan Cup, which, at the time, was arguably second in prestige to Lord Stanley.

Tootoo played in the old Canadian Central Hockey League with the Thompson Hawks. He was a right winger with speed and an accurate shot, and he didn't mind if the other team wanted to play rough.

The New York Rangers had interest in Tootoo in 1970 and '71.

Tootoo's time with the Thompson Hawks gave him on-ice experience to understand the difference between regular season and playoff hockey. He said when the playoffs come around, everyone has to come together and put the team first to be successful in their playoff run.

鈥淎ll year long, during the regular season, many players are trying to prove themselves and show that they belong,鈥� said Tootoo. 鈥淭hey're doing this and doing that  鈥� maybe some time on the penalty kill or the power play to see if they fit 鈥� and then when playoffs come around, it's a different game in any serious league.

鈥淭oday, the tough guys who played tough all year, now have to play smarter hockey and you see that happen in the playoffs today. The attitudes in the dressing room really change, as well,

鈥淵ou take a pretty good team that's up there and they seem to be pulling together, hanging out with each other more, and trying to encourage each other a bit more. It helps a lot and could lead a team to go all the way.

鈥淚t can lead to great things when your teammates are with you 100 per cent.

As for deep runs in the playoffs, goaltender and penalty killing are key, he said.

"You have to have good penalty-killing units and a good goaltender to really go anywhere. A lot of the players, they think we should have won that game two weeks ago against a weaker team and it can get in their head.

鈥淭hen they're playing the best teams that are around, so they have to be on their toes 24/7. Those guys have to leave their baggage behind and get in that mood to be effective.

鈥淵ou've got to meet the best challengers who are out there and beat them. The Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win in sports and the players on the winning team all have to be on the same page. That's what makes a team. When you're all pulling the same way, it seems like everything falls into place and everyone is pulling forward, which makes it a lot easier to play your game and take it one team at a time.

鈥淓verybody is backing each other up no matter what; win, lose or draw. This is the last series you're going to be playing for the year. It's playoff hockey. You're not out there to show the people what you're made of 鈥� you're out there to lead the team to win some. That's a team ready for playoff hockey.鈥�