October 6 postgame quotes: Mike Stothers

Mike Stothers, on the young defensemen for Ontario in today’s game:
I thought for the most part it was pretty good. We had our moments but when you look at the experience that San Diego had dressed, put a lot of pressure on our guys. Their forecheck was really good. They were getting in on our guys in a hurry. They weren’t afraid to take the body. There were some times where we spent a little too much time in there, but overall I thought it was a pretty good performance by all of them. I think we had some calming influences with Vinny and Trotman, two more experienced guys. Overall it was a pretty good performance.

Stothers, on getting in a game versus practice situations:
I’d rather practice. I’m sure the guys would rather play. It’s necessary, right? It gave us a good chance here to look at some guys that whether they start the year here or not, I don’t know, but if they end up in Manchester at least we know we’ve got some guys that if injuries occur, call-ups, we can bring some guys up and at least we’re familiar with how they play and more importantly they’re familiar with what’s expected of when they get here. It is a win-win for everybody in that regard.

Stothers, on who stood out to him:
I don’t think anyone really stood out and grabbed your attention, but I was happy — I thought Ward and Ciampini, I don’t know if that’s how you say his name, I just call him Campy, I really liked them. But again, see, if you start naming some guys these other guys they say, ‘oh, geez, he didn’t mention me.’ Did anybody come out and knock me off my feet like a Kempe does, skating up and down the ice? No. But there was some definite progress made in our evaluations of them. Instead of just seeing them in practice we’ve seen them in a game. Again, it’s good for everybody.

Stothers, on the Education Day environment with the screaming kids in attendance:
My ears are sore. It’s a lot of screaming. But, I think they had fun and that’s all that matters. We get them into the rink, they see a game, they’re having fun. Maybe they go home and tell their parents they want to go to another game and another game. We like that energy. It was good to see. I’m not sure why they were so spread out in the building, but I’m not in charge of the seating chart.

Stothers, on the second season in Ontario:
I can’t wait to get started. I can’t wait to see what our team looks like, first of all. I know the Kings have got two more games and I’m sure after this weekend we’ll know a little better what we’re going to look like as a team. Some of the familiar faces have returned and everybody that’s walked through that door I like having around. Schultzy didn’t walk through our door today, did he? [Reporter: Walked through the other one.] Damn, it’d be nice to have that big fella, but wish him well.

Stothers, on ex-players Schultz, Samuels-Thomas and Sabourin playing with Gulls:
I’m just happy that they’re playing. Not everybody can play for the Kings and the Reign. But they’re good people and they played hard for us. Sabby played hard for us, JST played extremely hard for us and we won a championship with Schultzy and he was very influential on that team. If they can keep playing, so long as they can land on their feet and play somewhere, I’ll always be supporting them and I’ll always be a big fan of them. Good luck to all three of them.

Stothers, on whether key players will play in Monday’s final preseason game:
Probably. I’m sure we’ll have a different look to our lineup on Monday. They didn’t have a day off, they actually had to do a dryland workout. I know they were probably waiting to hear it was a day off but they worked hard off the ice and we’ll be practicing tomorrow at Center Ice and get ready for Monday. But I think you will see a much, much, much different lineup come Monday night in Anaheim.

Stothers, on whether he will watch Frozen Fury or if he will be too busy:
I’m not sure but I think we have practices, we’ve had a lot going on. We’ve always got a lot going on. We’re coaches, we’re always busy.

Stothers, on his overall assessment of the game:
I was happy with, when you look at it, everything’s on paper when you start and you’re like, ‘oh, boy, they’ve got some experience on that team in their lineup.’ We’ve got some guys who are getting their first taste of, first of all the rivalry and life in the American Hockey League, and I thought we did a real good job. I was happy. We came from behind, we tied the game up. I thought it was an exciting finish. The overtime was great. The shootout, shootout’s can go either way, I’m not a big fan of shootouts. Should have set the clock back for another five minutes of 3-on-3 as far as I’m concerned. Never liked the shootout. Never pick the right guys in the shootout.