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January 10, 2005

Interview With The Coach, “Tickled pink”

Notes from the regular post-w/e interview with Killer on The TEAM 1200/Dean Brown and Gord Wilson.

Regarding trade deadline (today) – Talked to a few teams to see what they are looking for. He’s looking for the availability of a forward because he has enough defenceman, but that is what all the teams he has spoken with are looking for. He did say that those who follow on the internet shouldn’t turn it off until 6pm, because he feels that teams will continue trading this afternoon (not necessarily the 67s).

Killer said he wishes he hadn’t been so vocal about being a little bit better in their own end, and being more physical. He was upset by the amount of penalties the team took this w/e. “Getting 2- and 3 times the penalties, it’s a huge disadvantage.” Most of the penalties were deserved, he did say. “There were a couple of questionables, but sometimes you see it different from the official.” In Peterborough, half the first period they spent killing penalties.

Thoughts on the new players – He said, “I’m tickled pink to have Staubitz on the blue line.” He said that Staubitz doesn’t throw the puck away, he methodically gets it up the boards or passes to Will [Colbert], or waits and then gets it out of his end. Jarram played extremely well this w/e. He’s going to be a big strong d-man. Killer likes the way he plays. “He will be a dynamite player.” When Jarram’s on the ice, he’s all business, but he’s also great in room. VanderVeeken needs to work on his conditioning. He’s a big physical kid. Drives to the net. He tipped one in, and had some chances. He works hard.

Killer thinks that once they start to take care of business at home, they’ll move away from the 500 mark. “We’re not playing as well as we can. We’ve lost a lot of games on the road by one goal. That’s why we have a bad road record.” Now that the tournaments are over, they can get settled, hopefully play with more emotion, and then they’ll have a better road record.

Commenting on specific players – Mancari’s playing really well of late, especially with Bonello. Talbot is always working very hard. Hulit came on this w/e without skating for a seven days, because he was sick. Bickell was really physical. Akeson had a big w/e. Kaspar and Petruzalek are back. He’s looking for Lukas to find his stride. “He coasts a lot – looking and surveying. He needs to get to the puck quicker and initiate things.”

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