Brandon Reiter (Red)
1. A 2 goal lead got away from you guys tonight. What do you think went wrong at the end? I don't think we played smart in the third with the lead. We lacked defensive awareness and sort of came into the period playing like we had to keep scoring. We didn't execute on making the simple play at times, which led to chances for them.
2. What can you say about the overall team effort tonight? I think the effort is good we just need to make some adjustments and try to play a more complete game.
3. 25 goals in this game. Do you think the goalies just had an off night, or a combination of good offense and bad defense? I'm sure it was a bit of everything. The goalies both probably have goals they would like back. And there were plenty of goals that were simply great goals. Even though we lost, it was interesting all the way to the end and still a fun game.
4. You and Gus put up the most goals tonight. Did you guys try to make a defensive adjustment on him? No not really but maybe we should have. They have a nice group that know how to move the ball and create chances so that makes it tough to key one guy.
5. 20th season coming up. Did you ever expect to be playing hockey 20 years ? Yes I did. I hope to play a long time.
Dave Jewell (Neon Yellow)
1. 13 to 12 win tonight. What can you say about the overall team effort tonight? Effort was good defense not so much. Everyone played a hard game just alot of good scoring especially gus and brandon.
2. You came back in the 3rd period. What do you think you guys did better in that stretch? We have been playing alot better as a team and i think we just got the better bounces in the 3rd
3. Gus was scoring at will tonight. What's it been like having him as a winter league team? Gus is a great player that seems to get to all the right places with a natural scoring touch
4. Xtreme picked up a couple additions. What made you decide to pick them up? We lost jon and not sure about if chad is going to play so we figure we could use the extra help. Talking with the team we pick up a few pieces that could help us stay a contending team.
5. 20th season of xhl coming up. Do you think you will be playing xhl for another 20 years? I have no plans on playing in another 20 years but i am hoping that the league is still available for my son to play and enjoy as much as i have. Trae Wargo (Purple)
1. You celebrated a birthday today. What did you do to celebrate it and how young are you? Not too different than any other day. Just talked to a lot of the fam back home in the Lou and had to listen to a lot of bad singing. 27 years young!
2. Tough 9 to 6 loss to the grey team tonight. What can you say about the overall team effort in the loss? Effort was there we just have to finish on some of our looks and too many two on ones and three on ones given up tonight. We’re playing teams close and I think playing tighter and getting a bounce or two will get us back on the right side of the tracks.
3. You have only played in reynoldsville for a short time now. How do you feel about your progress since you started playing here? Playing with a ball has been the biggest adjustment. Starting to figure that part out now I just need to start getting to the gym so I don’t feel like I’m being water boarded every Monday night. My TOI has increased a bit and my teammates put me in good situations so it’s been a good adjustment so far.
4. Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hockey background, interests, etc? I never played organized puck but I sure wish I had. Played all the time in my hometown on old tennis courts throughout high school and on. We have some good homegrown talent: The Mayo Twins, the Kat Bat, Razzle Dazzle, Zipinator, Eldino and plenty more. They all play in a former league I was a part of called the GSAC. Good talent in that league. Took some teams to the middle of St. Louis to see what it’s all about and that’s some good puck too. Can never get enough of it. Who’s the oldest guy in the XHL? That’s the record I’m chasin.
5. How would you compare this quality of hockey to the hockey you have played before?These guys in the XHL can play with anybody I’ve played with. I don’t know if I’m getting slower or if the game’s passing me up but there’s plenty of speed in the XHL and it’s making my shifts short. I think the Best I’ve played with verse the best in the XHL is a 7 game series with Game 7 in double overtime 8-8 with the winner depending on if it’s in St. Louis or Reynoldsville. Big thanks to Brian for getting me into the XHL and back on the rink at the Rollerdrome. The atmosphere is great and all the people have been so kind. Nothing but good things to say about the folks in PA! Pittsburgh, St. Louis in the Finals this year?? Let’s Go Blues!!!
Bob Anderson (Grey)
1. 9 to 6 win over purple tonight. What can you say about the overall team effort in the win?
First off, good game to team Purple. I thought they played very well and it could have easily gone either way. As for the team effort, I thought we played fairly well, but are capable of better too. We let up a few too many odd man breaks for my liking and got a little too focused on offense at times. But I never doubt our effort as a group.
2. You were able to pull away in the 3rd period. What do you think you guys did better in that last period? To be honest, I don't know. We were just able to sneak a few more past Derrian in that period. I also think that Purple had to try to open it up a little more when they fell behind, which led to a few more scoring opportunities for us than in the first couple of periods. We were able to take advantage of those. 3. When thinking of this team, we talk about you and cody, but what can you say about some of the play from guys like Trenton, Vinnie, Mike Farcus, Joseph Conforto and Tyler Luzier? I really enjoy these fall and winter league seasons because you really get a feel of other players' games and personalities. Every team has strengths and weaknesses, but I feel like any team can win on any given night. I certainly have a lot of praise for the guys on my team. I think there is a lot more potential too. For example, I think Tony has quietly gotten better, even since the beginning of the season. Heck, he had a hat trick for us last week. I'm also a big fan of Trenton's game. He never stops hustling! Vinnie is underrated too. He's got wheels and a good shot. Tyler is a solid goalie who gives us a chance to win every night. His biggest critic is himself, which can be a good or bad thing. And Farcus has been a good soldier and has maintained a positive attitude for us.
4. 20th season of xhl hockey coming up. Did you ever think the league would still be going on this long and you still playing at a high level despite aging by 20 years? When the league was started I wasn't looking 5, 10, or 20 years down the road. But looking back, I'm so proud of where we've come, and the future looks bright as well. We have a nice mix of veteran players and younger players now. I remember doing a ceremony for our 10-year anniversary and now we are looking at our 20th season. I would like to see us as a league really take a look back this season at where we've come to really appreciate what we have. I'm hoping we can do a couple of special things this year to commemorate the 20th anniversary. We are starting by selling apparel. Get your order in soon! As for my play, I started like most of us in this league. I could barely skate, couldn't stickhandle to save my life, and could hardly get a wrist shot off let alone a slapshot. But like anything you are passionate about in life, you put the time in to improve. I used to skate a lot on my own in Brockway, would go down to my basement and practice stickhandling and shot many balls off the wall. This was obviously before I had responsibilities like a wife and kids. Watching hockey also helped me develop more of a sense for the game. I've watched many players come and go in our league. I remember how dominate they were at one time or another. But father time is undefeated. I'm hoping that I can continue to be an asset for a while, but I know that other players will pass me by too. My game will have to adapt. If so, I'm hoping to be a part of the 30th XHL anniversary season too.
5. You will be celebrating a birthday tomorrow. What are you expecting for super Tuesday and how do you plan to celebrate your birthday?
I can't believe that my birthday is so important that they call it "Super Tuesday." Just kidding of course! For those who don't know me, I'm a big fan of following sports (especially hockey) and politics too. I enjoy the presidential race especially. It's fun for me to keep up with the polls, watch the debates, and learn about the candidates. In a way, it's like a sport. It's competitive and sometimes dirty. But when you win, it's exhilarting. Unfortunately, my favorite candidate won't be winning this election. I really liked Pete Buttigieg but he dropped out of the race Sunday.
My political predictions haven't been very good lately. I never thought Trump would win in 2016. In all fairness, I don't even think Trump thought he would win in 2016. But since you asked, I see the Democratic nomination coming down to a choice between Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden. I think Biden will eventually get the nomination and take on Trump in the fall. Trump has a lot of advantages as the incumbent. He's got a huge war chest in the bank, has a strong economy behind him (unless it's tanked by the coronavirus), and is obsessed with doing anything to win. Even so, I think he's vulnerable in swing states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. He won those states by a razor thin margin in 2016. If it's Biden v. Trump, I see it is a coin flip election. If it's Bernie v. Trump, I give Trump better odds. But then again, what do I know?
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