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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. |
02/29/04 Mark Steenhuis - Buffalo Bandits Mark Steenhuis of the Buffalo Bandits had a few words with PLPA Correspondent David W. Unkle. | |
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The team is on a roll right now and you're well on your way to wrapping up the East. What do you attribute the team's success to? |
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I wouldn't jump to any conclusions; there are too many good teams in this league.
Right now we're just going out and playing one game at a time, trying to end up with a good record when we get to the playoffs. We have a great bunch of guys, the team unity is unbelievable and we'll do anything for each other. Right now, we're playing solid defense. The "D" is doing what they're supposed to do and the "O" is the scoring goals for us. After the first couple of games, it seems like we came together and now it's showing out on the floor.
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I understand that you have some interesting pre-game rituals. |
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I eat a ton (of food). The guys in the locker room don't understand it and I don't quite understand it myself. I'll get hungry during the game if I don't have a big feast ½ hour to an hour before the game. Mostly, I eat lasagna and the guys get a big kick out of that. |
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I remember when you were playing here last season with Columbus, you were at the end of warm-ups and I saw you run into the stands, go back to the concession stand, and come back to the floor with a sandwich/hot dog. |
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I don't know what it is; if I don't eat, come the third quarter, I feel like I'm dead. Eating before the game works for me so I'm sticking with it.
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With the numerous labor issues impacting the players this off-season, were you concerned that the season would be in jeopardy? |
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I kept my hopes high that the season would be played. Both sides were not going to give in and but I figured as the beginning of the season grew nearer that there would have to be some adjustments (by the League and the Player's Association). Lacrosse couldn't afford to miss an entire season of play. The fan base isn't as stable as the National Hockey League or Major League Baseball. I was pretty optimistic that we would have a season and I'm glad that we did.
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Talk about the significance of the National Lacrosse League having an All-Star game in the context of not having an All-Star game in 2003. |
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I think that it's great, especially with the publicity that it generated for the sport. I heard that it was publicized all over the America and Canada. Having the game on national television is going to give us exposure that we wouldn't get normally get. Having so many talented players in this contest is only going to attract new fans and hopefully allow us to expand our fan base.
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John Tavares is one of the premiere players in the National Lacrosse League; talk about what it is like being his teammate. |
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It's amazing. His knowledge of the game is unbelievable and his skills are exceptional. What he sees out there and how he teaches you to see things out there is invaluable for a young player like me. Some of the things he does during the game I'm in awe of. Then in practice, he'll work with you and help you improve your game. It pays major dividends for the guys on the team and it's great to have him on our team.
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So is it imposing for a young player to come on the team with such a star like John on the team? |
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It might be for some players; for me I looked at it as a great opportunity. I looked to learn from him and he's been great with me since I joined the team.
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Hockey players are known for their superstition, as a lacrosse player do you have any superstitions? |
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Yeah, I do. It seems like the last few games that I've been doing the same thing from the time I wake up until I go to bed. Now I'm eating the same meals. It seems to be getting worse as the years go by and I keep adding to it. Pretty much my whole routine before the game is the same. I don't know what's wrong with me. I try to get away from it but it eats you up. You start thinking about what would happen if you didn't (follow the superstition). It's a tough situation for me.
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What's the most bizarre thing that you've seen in lacrosse? |
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In juniors, there was a player who, before the game, would walk into the arena in just his underwear. I don't think he did it for too many games though. And yes, we were old enough to know what we were doing.
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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 provides listeners in the Philadelphia market an appealing alternative to traditional sports talk radio. While you won't hear antagonist callers on The Topcat Sports Show, you will hear some of the greatest names in professional sports and entertainment. You can now listen live at www.wnjc1360.com. David is a Staff Writer for South Jersey Sports On-Line (www.SJSports.com) and Our Sports Central (www.oursportscentral.com). A former semi-professional football player and ice-hockey enthusiast, and covers the Philadelphia Wings (NLL), Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL), and Philadelphia KiXX (MISL). You can write to David via his website: www.topcatsports.org. |
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