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Player Spotlight highlights the finer details and elements while supplying insight to the fans on what a player's thought process may be pertaining to a certain play, game or situation. It brings the intensity, passion, and inner most thoughts of the individual player that otherwise may not be felt or heard. |
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12/03/01 Dwight Maetche, who played six seasons in the MILL and NLL with Philadelphia, Charlotte and New York in the 1990s, is back in the NLL this season as the starting goaltender for the Vancouver Ravens. The 40-year-old was outstanding in the team's first three games and was the difference-maker in a 13-12 victory over the Toronto Rock on Saturday in the Ravens' inaugural home-opener at GM Place. Plpa correspondent Gary Kingston sat down with Dwight and had him answer some questions. | |
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Dwight, how important was it for you guys, after an 0-2 start, to get a win at home in front of a big crowd [announced at 13,772]. |
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We had such great marketing to get everybody out here that we knew
in
order to get everybody back we needed to perform and come up with a big
game. So to have the game turn out the way it did, is just great for this
team. Really, it couldn't have been scripted any any better. We came from
behind, tied it, we went ahead, lost the lead, came back again and we held
them off at the end. It's perfect.
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What was the difference between this game and the 16-11 loss to the Rock in the season opener in Toronto on Nov. 17. |
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We recognized that we didn't play to our capabilities the first
game.
Loose balls was one of the problems, transition was another. We addressed
that. We made some adjustments to get out of our own end. For the most
part, they didn't pin us in and the loose balls, especially in our own
end, was huge. |
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You stopped three breakaways in the game, then came up with two huge saves in the last minute off [Kim] Squire and [Blaine] Manning. What happened on those shots? |
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I was surprised. I didn't think they had much time because they
both
shot high and I was kind of expecting them to pump high and go low because
they've had success doing that. I think they were a little nervous, too
because they shot so quickly. They hit me up high and I wasn't expecting that.
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Speaking of nervous, what was it like for you guys to see such a big crowd out there for your first game? |
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I was a little nervous because I knew a lot of people. Everyone on
this team is a hometown guy, so we've got lots of friends and family.
Sometimes, it's a little harder to play in front of your home crowd
because they're your harshest critics. But at least we came out on top and
played well.
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And after your performance, is it "hot" yoga for everybody now? |
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We've got some supporters now. They were critics at the start of
the
game. Now the guys are saying what time's the yoga.
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We should explain that yoga reference. Dwight has adopted a new fitness regime that includes a type of yoga that involves tracing a series of 26 body-contorting positions during a 90-minute session in an exercise studio in which the temperature is warmed to at least 30 degrees Celsius. Dwight, what benefit do you get from the yoga? |
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Because of the heat, it's similar to actual game situations because
of
all the equipment I wear and how hot I get. In order to do the yoga
properly, you have to breath properly, mentally concentrate on cooling
your body. I use that in game situations. When there's a break in the
action or the play is at the other end, I'll do some deep breathing
techniques. I'm not in meditation or anything or standing on one leg, but
the breathing helps keep me cool and I'm ready for the next play.
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You have also worked the last year with a personal trainer. How has that helped? |
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What I noticed with the trainer is that she can push me to a higher
level. Alone, I can't push myself to the level that I'm being pushed at
now. I truly think that if everybody did the things I do, injuries would
go down, recovery rates would be better, productivity would be better.
Mentally the fatigue would not as much of an issue.
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The issue of your age and your ability to be productive as you move past 40 is often brought up. Does it bother you? |
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Sometimes. I want to be judged on my ability to play against my
peers.
I just happen to be older than everybody else, but I want to play based on
my ability to contribute. Hopefully, my work ethic, dedication and focus
can inspire other players, particularly players on this team. I hope they
look at me and say 'there's a guy who keeps right up with us at our age or
maybe is even better prepared physically' I'd like the whole team to take
it to that level.
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The mental aspect is always crucial for a goaltender. I understand you spend a lot of time on that, particularly in preparing for an opposing team's shooters? |
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I've always done that. I review rosters and and make mental notes
of
guys tendencies. But it's a group effort here. We've got three Hall of
Fame goaltenders in [assistant coach] Rod Banister, [GM] Dave Evans and
[eastern scout] Buff McCready. I'm very fortunate to have this whole crew
with me. Of any teams in the league, we should be able to compile a very
accurate scouting report on every team we play against.
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How much longer will you continue to play? |
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My goal is to see what I'm capable of doing this year. Up until
that
first game in Toronto, I guess I still wondered if I'd be able to compete.
I feel better now getting the first few games under my belt. You put all
that work in preparing and I feel somewhat rewarded. Deep down, I always I
could do it, but you really don't know until it happens.
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| PLPA Correspondent Gary Kingston covers the Ravens for the Vancouver Sun. He spent the previous six years covering the NBA Vancouver Grizzlies for the Sun and, before that, covered the B.C. Lions for six seasons. He has quickly become a fan of the NLL game and, after dealing with overpaid, whiny and egotistical NBA athletes who had little time for the media, is enjoying talking to the "real" people who play in the NLL. |
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