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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. |
03/23/03 Tom Still - Colorado Mammoth Tom Still is the backup goaltender for the Colorado Mammoth. He had his first victory as a professional goalie today against New Jersey. After a double header this weekend, the Mammoth lost at home to Rochestor 16-12 but won their first road victory in a crucial game against the Storm 18-17, keeping themselves in the running for a playoff spot. PLPA correspondent Chrissy Sadowski sat down and spoke with Tom. | ||
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You lead both teams with 16 loose balls…what do you have to say about that? | |
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I just had to make sure that I grabbed as many rebounds as I could and when I saw the opportunity to leave my crease, I would. My defense played a big role by tying up players so I could get the loose balls.
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You've been in the league for two years now and tonight was a pretty crucial win for your team. Do you feel like you contributed in a positive way to this win? | |
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Yes I do. I feel that my role as a backup goaltender is that every game I am positive and keep my role on the bench and when talking to Eric. We have a good working relationship together and when Eric wasn't getting much help from the players I felt like I had to step up and help, not only for the team, but for Eric. | |
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What are you and the Mammoth feeling after a roller coaster weekend, losing another home game but winning your first road game? | |
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I think anybody who has played lacrosse or any sport for any amount of time knows it is frustrating for anyone to look from the outside and not being able to help directly. We have a squad loaded with team players and whether you are playing or not, everyone is always positive with each other.
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As a goalie you can sit back and watch your team, could you tell the energy was up against New Jersey? | |
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The game against Rochester was a heartbreaker because we didn't play to our full potential. But with our first road win in New Jersey I saw our team come together from top to bottom. It looks like it's the start of a playoff run.
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In previous interviews many of the guys blamed the lack of fan support on the road for their reasons for losing. What was different about the New Jersey game then other road games? | |
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I could tell right from the start even before we started to play, from the team meeting, from before the game, to our warm-up and to the opening face-off that this game would be different. Everyone was positive and everyone knew what they had to do in order for us to get this win. In our meeting we had discussions that in doesn't matter if we play in front of 17, 000 or 400 fans we have to play for the guy beside us and that is all that matters.
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With a team stacked like the Mammoth, is there a sense of frustration that Toronto and Buffalo have clinched playoff spots but you guys haven't? | |
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I would be lying if I said no and everybody on this team and other teams know we haven't played to our full potential. But with this win it looks to me as if our team knows what they have to do to clinch our playoff spot as well.
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Did the change in coaching staff have anything to do with today's win? | |
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Yeah, I do think it has made an impact on our team. Rod Jensen was and is a great coach and a great person who saw potential in not only myself but our team. Unfortunately it didn't work out and Jamie Batley and Tony Resch have stepped in and our team seems to be responding.
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Are you impressed with the unbelievable fan support in Colorado? | |
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It's actually quite remarkable. Steve Govett told us how much the fans were buying into it before the season started but now it's amazing how the fans are adapting to it and realizing what is actually happening on the floor in such a short period of time. It is actually somewhat surprising to me. I can safely say that we here in Colorado have the number one fans in the NLL.
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What are the keys to winning these next three games so you have a chance for the playoffs? | |
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The keys are to focus and take one game at a time and like I said earlier just play for the guy beside you. We have to concentrate on the systems that the coaching staff have put in place and make sure everyone does there own job and not more then they are supposed too.
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| PLPA Correspondent Chrissy Sadowski has a degree in Communications and is currently studying broadcasting. |
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