People don't get to see the time they put in away from the games, and this past month I can guarantee you they have spent more time practicing, watching video and training than they have in a long time in an effort to get this turned around. You and I get to wake in the morning after a game, go into work and carry on with our day. These guys have to wake up sore, see the things people write and say, and deal with it all day long.
That's not an excuse, that's just reality. Losing games as a professional athlete is brutal and stressful and nobody wants to win every game more than the guys playing, and I know these veteran guys will keep grinding to get this team some wins!
2. What do you think the H awks need right now to turn the team around? Seems like they need help all around, in all areas - aside from positive vibes from Hawks fans... - Eileen from Chicago
Eileen,
You'd be surprised what some positive energy from fans can do for a player. Guys get more confidence than you think from fans. As far as their play goes, to me they are playing very tight right now, and that's what happens when you are struggling and everybody is telling you what to do and what to change.
At some point, you have to just play and use your instincts. You are going to make mistakes, but if you are going to make a mistake don't mess up because you are going half speed, thinking about where you should be or what you should be doing. Make a mistake going 100 mph on the ice, play loose and let it rip. A mistake at 50% is still a mistake at 100%, and if you're going all out, I guarantee your mistakes happen less when you are playing fast and with passion. Your will always beats skill!
3. Who was your most favorite team to play against and why?
Who was your least favorite team to play against and why? - Anna Bell from Calgary
Hello Anna Bell,
Playing in LA was always fun because you'd look around and see all the celebrities sitting on the glass. But I think I probably got most excited and nervous for the Vancouver games. You never knew what was going to happen out there, but you knew there was going to be some kind of fireworks. You couldn't tiptoe around in those games or someone was going to knock your head off. There was a nasty vibe every time we played them, and I loved it!
My least favorite teams to play were probably Florida and Arizona just for the fact that their buildings were never full. I did like going there in the winter and working on my tan if we got a day off! Like I said earlier, players feed off that energy in the building, the louder the building is the more jacked up the guys get!
