|
LL |
Todd,
this is your third season with the hockey
club, after your first season with the
team you were away for the next two seasons
before returning last year. I’m
interested to know how it was for you
rejoining the team and other then some
personnel changes how had the team changed? |
|
TF |
Coming
back to the Ironmen wasn’t a problem
at all, there were a few familiar faces
but it’s a pretty easy group to
get along with. The main difference is
the team in general has slowed down a
bit, perhaps due to all of us bastards
getting old. |
|
LL |
You
are leading the team with 16 goals this
season and are on pace for a career year
what do you attribute your personal success
to this season? |
|
TF |
Personally
I’m in better shape, but I’ve
been able to play consistently with a
few guys, build up some chemistry, which
helps read the play on the ice. |
|
LL |
In
addition to the offensive success that
you have had this season, you seem to
be more committed to playing a complete
game. Your postional play has been much
better and I have noticed that you have
been contributing in the defense zone
as well. Is there a reason why your play
has evolved and become more balanced? |
|
TF |
I
was horrified after watching the game
that Peter (Farkas) taped last year. I
think everyone should watch it! It shows
a bunch of lazy guys just floating around
the rink. After seeing that I made a conscious
effort not to play like that anymore. |
|
LL |
Back
to your offensive game, you currently
lead the team with 16 goals and are in
second place in team scoring with 24 points.
You have an excellent chance at unseating
Craig Granter (who has won the award the
last three seasons) for the Art Ross Award
as regular season point’s champion.
Does this motivate you at all? |
|
TF |
You
bet your ass it does. If he doesn’t
get off his ass and start shooting again
Brett might just lose it. HAHA. Just kidding,
on more serious note I’d like to
play with him more often this year, as
well as Jeff. |
|
LL |
Last
year you won the Lester B. Pearson Award
as the team’s MVP for the Whistler
Summit Series Tournament. How did it feel
to have your teammates select you as the
tournament MVP? |
|
TF |
Did
Rick or Brent get you to ask that by any
chance? |
|
LL |
Todd,
earlier this season you wrote a game report
(which by the way thanks for covering
for me, I thought you did a great job!)
how was that experience and would you
do it again? |
|
TF |
It
was quite fun, sure I’d do it
again, but hopefully after a win this
time so as to give some props this time.
|
|
LL |
During
the off-season you did a little recruiting
and brought Hugh Nash to the hockey club.
How long have you known Hugh and what
positives do you think he has brought
to the team this season? |
|
TF |
I’ve
known Huge Gash for longer than I care
to remember. We didn’t have any
really big forwards to knock people around
in the offensive zone, also he seems to
be able to use those bricks he calls hands
and pot some goals. He does need to work
on the passing a bit, keeping it at least
two feet from the ice. hehe |
|
LL |
I
mentioned earlier that you are on pace
this season for a career year in terms
of points and your overall game has more
balance to it, checking the stats I have
noticed that your penalty minutes are
on the rise, is there any reason for that?
|
|
TF |
Horrible
officiating! |
|
LL |
How
do you think the 2004-2005 Ironmen squad
compares to the other Ironmen teams you
have been a part of? |
|
TF |
Not
bad, not bad. Some signs of brilliance,
followed sadly by longer periods of ineptitude.
However we seem to be coming around finally. |
|
LL |
What
do you think the key has been to the improved
play of the team over the last number
of games? |
|
TF |
Playing
more of a team game, but our goaltending
is much better. Dave has been making some
really huge saves to keep us in or win
a game. Way to go Dave! |
|
LL |
Can
the Ironmen go all the way and win their
division? |
|
TF |
If
we get all cylinders firing, keep playing
a team game, getting pucks to the net….
You get the drift; we need help with our
clichés. |
|
LL |
What
do you think is the most important thing
that the team must do to have success? |
|
TF |
Playing
like we want to win. NO floaters. |
|
LL |
This
is the first season for the Ironmen at
the Great Pacific Forum, how do you like
the new facility so far? |
|
TF |
Swell |
|
LL |
Do
you think the change in scenery and new
league has lead to a new attitude and
some positive on ice results? |
|
TF |
Yeah
I think so. |
|
LL |
Which
of your longtime teammates has been the
most pleasant surprise this season? And
why? |
|
TF |
I
think Jim on defense is a great surprise.
If only he could skate backwards maybe
he wouldn’t be doing the Defer lunge
as often. |
|
LL |
Playing
on a team called the Ironmen you are expected
to play through some injuries, I know
that you have been bitten by the injury
bug a few times this season and were even
forced to the sidelines on a couple of
occasions. How is your injury situation
now? |
|
TF |
It’s
been a bad year, but everything seems
to be slowly getting better. It must be
all that yoga, eh Rick. |
|
LL |
You
have played a lot with Hugh Nash this
season which of your other teammates do
you feel a chemistry with? |
|
TF |
Craig,
Jeff, Gord, Gary |
|
LL |
Are
there any of your teammates regardless
of skill level that you just can’t
seem to get on the same page with? And
if so who are they and any reasons why
you can’t seem to click? |
|
TF |
Rick
and I seem to get our wires crossed when
we play together; it might be that we
play different styles or that we don’t
play with each other much I’m not
sure. No offense Rick |
|
LL |
Todd,
which Ironmen player (and you can’t
select yourself) has been the team MVP
through the first half of the season? |
|
TF |
Rick |
|
LL |
Who
do you think has been the best Ironmen
defensemen so far this season? |
|
TF |
I
like the way Craig plays. |
|
LL |
Which
Ironmen player (and you can’t select
yourself) has been the best defensive
forward through the first half of the
season? |
|
TF |
Jeff |
|
LL |
Which
first year Ironmen player has had the
biggest impact on the team this season? |
|
TF |
I
can’t pick just one, the three playing
forward help give us three solid lines
that can score. |
|
LL |
Todd
thanks for your time answering these questions,
good luck to you and the team this season. |
