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December 20, 2004

Interview With The Coach

Even though Killer was not on the bench this past w/e, he had his usual post-w/e interview with The TEAM 1200/Dean and Bruce Garrioch. He had this to say:

[paraphasing]

I saw eight teams that had players we were interested in, but that doesn't mean that we're not interested in other teams; I just couldn't get to see them.

This is the first time that I have taken off games [to go scouting], other than the odd game due to sickness. Maybe I've missed one game, but never three.

We practiced well last week, and Bert [O'Brien] and Vinnie [Malette] are very close to the team. Sometimes you play better with a different face. Also, sometimes it's good to get away for me too.

Disappointmented with the level of play, but when you get to Christmas, kids' minds wander and it's a tough time to get motivated. But teams that beat you get motiated, so why can't we?

With the tie against Belleville it's good, because they didn't pull away from us. In Barrie, we came back and that win was a big win for us. Bert and Vin worked a few players really hard, so they were tired for the next day.

(Garrioch asked: Mancari has lifted his game.)

Mancari's done that lately. He wants to take up for Bonello, who he feels gets picked on a lot. He worked hard and I just found out that he was named player of the week for the league.

(Dean asked: whats on you're shopping list; what could you realistically expect to get.)

First thing we would like, number one, is some authority in our own end. I'm hoping to do something to get some muscle in our own end; to win battles in the corners. Priority number two, is for somebody to quarterback on the PP. If you get to the playoffs, you can avert other teams from taking liberties if you have a strong PP. Also, I'm hoping to get someone in here with desire. We're a nice, quiet, peaceful team, and I think we need character in here to get the team going.

Rosters are frozen until next Tuesday. But we're definitely going to makes changes after this Christmas break. This team we have has grown and stayed together fine, but just not the right feel.

Konopka and Galbraith were emotional guys. They were the type of guys that would go through the door. Right now we have a bunch of guys in the room who will hold the doors for someone else. I haven't seen the emotional level rise, or play with urgency or do anything to win. Attitude and desire have a major impact on wining.

There is so much parity in the league right now, that some teams may raise the bar a little too high, and the question is how much do you want to pay. I don't want to rob the next year's team to pay for this year. Hoping that I can do something without borrowing too much on the future.

Petruzalek comes in here and plays with an edge. Kaspar is still adjusting to this league. He was more dymanic earlier on than he is now. I'm hoping that when he comes back from Juniors he will realize there is more to the game than just skill, like desire.

[/paraphrase]

I think that he's made the trade - just not releasing the details.

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