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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. |
02/02/03 Kevin Finneran -- Toronto Rock Kevin Finneran of the NLL Champion Toronto Rock had a few words with PLPA Correspondent David W. Unkle following the Rock's 13-9 victory over the Philadelphia Wings. The NLL ironman returned to his hometown of Philadelphia where he spent the last ten years as a member of the Philadelphia Wings. Tonight's game was he first since joining the Toronto Rock. | ||
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Talk about your return to Philadelphia and facing the team that you were a big part of for ten years. | |
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It wasn't as weird as I thought it would be…once the game got started it was like any other game. At times, it was pretty strange out there and the fans were chirping in my ear the whole game but that's Philly and I wouldn't expect anything different. All I wanted to do was come in here and win…and we did. I didn't care if I scored a goal, we're doing well now, we're 5-2 and we go back home against Ottawa and Buffalo and we're at the halfway point.
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How does it feel being on the opposite side of the Philadelphia Wings-Toronto Rock rivalry? | |
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It's a great feeling tonight…two storied franchises and now I have the chance to play with (Toronto)…I just want to help them win another Championship. | |
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What are your thoughts of changing face of the league, specifically teams like Columbus and Colorado? | |
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I think it's great; at the tail end of my career, it is good to see new franchises succeed…that can only help the sport and the league…obviously I want to win another Championship but just as important is the league succeeding, so a team like Columbus doing well and Colorado drawing well (in attendance) is great.
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What are your thoughts on the relocation of the Washington Power to Colorado and potential expansion of the NLL on the West Coast? | |
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That's what we hope for…they brought a good team out there so they're successful right away…there a at least four or five (West Coast cities) that can do well in this league. Let's face it, the sport speaks for itself…when it's played well, it's the best sport out there.
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Your thoughts on some of the troubled franchises such as Montreal, New York, and Buffalo? | |
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Hopefully, Montreal will be back next year with a new ownership group. Buffalo is playing well at home so that can only help; you can't throw the towel on them yet. They have a great team and they have great history but they're going through some rough times. You want New York in the league…maybe they need some new blood in there to get them going…they just have to win…It's tough to draw when you're not winning.
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Back to tonight's game, what was the key to shutting out Philadelphia in the fourth quarter? | |
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Our defense…that's what the Toronto Rock are all about. We make smart plays and our defense created those goals at the end. I have so much respect for our guys…we struggled on offense tonight but we didn't make a lot of critical mistakes. Our power play was on tonight.
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Was tonight's victory extra sweet against the team that wanted you to take a reduced role this season? | |
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No doubt, I won't lie, the victory was sweet. At the end of the game I stayed out a couple of extra minutes and said hello to some friends...for every fan I waved to, three were giving me the finger…when I was in the penalty box earlier tonight, I was getting some chirping but these are Philly fans and I would expect nothing different. Deep down they know I played hard for them for ten years and I'm wearing a different uniform, so be it; life goes on. I am playing pretty well and I know I can play better. Philly want to go in a different direction and it wasn't about the consecutive game streak, it was about producing. I produced and that speaks for itself. Now I want to produce for this team (Toronto)…it's going to be a great night in my hometown.
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| PLPA Correspondent David W. Unkle is the host of The Topcat Sports Show airing on Philadelphia's Renaissance Radio Station, WNJC 1360-AM every Tuesday from 4:30-6:00PM (Eastern Time). The Topcat Sports Show is a personal interview style program that explores the world of professional sports that exists beyond the game. Join David W. Unkle as he delves into the lives and careers of a wide array of local, national, and international sports figures. David also is a Staff Writer for South Jersey Sports On-Line (www.SJSports.com) and Our Sports Central (www.oursportscentral.com). David is a former semi-professional football player and ice-hockey enthusiast, and covers the Philadelphia Wings (NLL), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL), Philadelphia KiXX (MISL), and Philadelphia Charge (WUSA). You can write to David at, topcatsports@msn.com or topcat4469@comcast.net |