Player Spotlight

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.


Paul Cantabene -- Philadelphia Wings

Paul Cantabene of the Philadelphia Wings had a few words with PLPA Correspondent David W. Unkle following the team's 13-9 loss to the Toronto Rock. Cantabene, the 1999 NLL All-Star MVP, begins his tenth year in the NLL with the Philadelphia Wings after spending time with the Washington Power, Pittsburgh Crossfire, and the Baltimore Thunder.


Question What happened in the fourth quarter of Saturday night's game; tied 9-9 after three quarters, the team came apart and allowed Toronto to score four unanswered goals to win 13-9?
Answer We were a man up and then we took a bad penalty. (Ill-timed penalties) are something that we are doing this year and we need to fix that. Toronto was playing good defense and goal keeping and when (Toronto goalkeeper) Bob Watson is playing that well it is tough to come back on them. With a young team like we have we need to learn how to make plays when the pressure is on. We had a couple things that didn't go our way and we scored a goal that wasn't allowed. The team is so young, we have ten guys playing with two or less years experience, it's tough for them to deal with those situations. Mentally the team is learning things about the game every week. If you told us that we had to play Vancouver, Colorado twice, and Toronto in the first weeks of the season and that we would be 1-3 you might be happy (that start). I think we're improving and it didn't work out for us against Toronto but in the end, I think it is going to help us.


Question How is the transition from Washington to Philadelphia?
Answer It's been relatively smooth; the team has really accepted me and everybody seems nice. (GM Martin O'Neill) and Head Coach Adam Mueller) are great and they are really giving me an opportunity to come up here and play. It would be very tough for me to play for Colorado this season while I'm coaching at the University of Maryland. I played for that franchise for nine years they were great and obliged me with a trade, allowing me to continue playing, and coaching lacrosse.


Question What is it like playing for Philadelphia after having been their rival for so many years?
Answer It's fun…those guys that I played with are not going to take it easy on me. They didn't take it easy on me in practice but it's good to see the other perspective.


Question Can you describe the emotions that come into play when you face your former teammates…you had to do it two weeks ago against Colorado and Kevin Finneran did it in Saturday's game when he faced the Wings?
Answer You have to realize that as a player, you have been through so many battles and shared so many stories with each other that you really develop a tight bond. But you're a professional and when you get out on the game floor, most of that goes right out the window and you play to win. After the game, you get back together and talk about your stories again but during the game, you play to win.


Question Prior to the Colorado games, did you sit down with (Wings' Head Coach) Adam Mueller and review the players and their weaknesses?
Answer There is no question that we share that information. Adam came to me and asked me what I think about the (Colorado) players and I gave him my opinions and shared with him the things that were our Achilles' heel over the last few years.


Question Do you see your role as a veteran player to sit down with some of the younger guys and talk with them about how the game should be played?
Answer We definitely talk with some of the younger players and talk about the mental drag of the season. It is a lot different when you are playing every day in college and now you only practice once a week and then you have a game. You have to work on your own to stay in shape.


Question How did Toronto shut down the Wings?
Answer We're trying to feel things out…we had a lot of opportunities in the first half to score goals and we just didn't put them away. It comes down to making plays and right now we're just not doing it. I know I had a few opportunities to score and I didn't... I have to make those plays for the team to be successful. We have a great opportunity with hard work to get back to .500. Once you are there, it's a whole new season.


Question Has the schedule hurt the Wings?
Answer The more we play together the better we will be; I wish we played as many games as some teams in the league at this point in the season. I think that we would be in a lot better shape. The younger guys need to get out and play the game and learn what to do…unfortunately we had to re-schedule a game…the balanced schedule is unbalanced at times…the more we gel, the better we will ultimately be.


Question Does playing in front of goalkeeper Dallas Eliuk allow the team to do things that you would be able to do with a weaker goalkeeper?
Answer Dallas allows us to get away with mistakes; he'll really bail you out and make that great save. He's a great leader in the locker room, guys look up to him and see how long he's been in this league.


Question Growing up, was lacrosse always your primary sport?
Answer When I was in high school, I played football and basketball. Once I went to college, I pretty much played lacrosse.


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