Game Day


Welcome to the Game Day section of the PLPA web site. Game Day is a segment that features players and how they prepare for games including what they do during the day of a game as a chronology.

This segment will feature Brad MacArthur of the Calgary Roughnecks.

Brad MacArthur's Game Day


8:00 a.m.
Wake up...watch Sportsnet News, have some breakfast. Depending what is on Bysee's (Roommate and NLL Chef extarordinaire Adam Bysouth) menu that day, I ususally come away with some OJ, hash browns, some eggs, and some meat.

9:30 a.m.
Pack up my equipment and examine my sticks for any breaks. I use STX X2's with traditional pockets, so I have to be extra careful. Wait for the guys to head down to the Saddledome. A quick stop either at the Cabin Cafe or Tim Hortons for a coffee....extra large double cream double sugar.

10:30 a.m.
Arrive at the dome for a very informal shootaround. It is great that the coaches leave us to do our own things. CH, Walt and Gus ususally grab a certain amount of time to go over some things for that night, but for the most part it is very relaxed.

12:30 p.m.
Take off from the dome. Heading home we stop get some Powerade, and bug Bysee to cook lunch as well.

1:00 p.m.
Prepare the lunch, ususally some pasta and chicken breast. I also start stringing and repairing my sticks for the game.

2:30 p.m.
Head downstairs, grab an empty stick to string, make any repairs to my other sticks and equipment. I ususally watch some TV...make sure the clothes are ready for the game, and finally grab a short nap.

4:30 p.m.
Leave again for the 'Dome. It is only a short drive there, so we arrive pretty early. Upon arrival I change into some shorts, flops, and our warm-up shirt with my cap. Then I ususally grab a media package for the night, and read it. Replace the tape on my shafts as well. I go out and throw the ball a little bit. Grab the first stall on the right hand side, beside Dodds. Listen to some Jenkins (Asst. Coach Angus Jenkins) supplied warmup tunes.

5:45 p.m.
I usually start getting ready for formal warm-ups. Start really disliking the other team.

6:20 p.m.
1st warmup takes place, I am ususally pretty quiet right at this point. To me this is Gametime!

6:40 p.m.
Back in room preparing for main warmup. Ready to go in 10 minutes for the second warm-up.

7:10 p.m.
Everyone is usually ready to go by now.....except for Tyson Leies...always seems we are waiting for him.

7:25 p.m.
Ready for intro's...Last one out of dressing room, Near the boards for the anthem, as guys make their way to the bench....wait for Dodds to slash me, 2nd last guy to talk to Pally ending with a head butt! Punch TK's glove....and usually go for the face-off.

10:00 p.m.
By now the game is over...usually back in the dressing room quickly for a drink, then back out onto the floor to meet some of the best fans in the NLL. The other team is ok again.

10:45 p.m.
Showered up and ready to go to Dutton's. I am ususally one of the last guys up there. It feels good to unwind a little bit after the game. Meet some of the guys from our team and the opposition. I have a lot of friends on the eastern based teams, so it is good to catch up.

12:00 p.m.
Out with the boys for a short night.