Can fans be optimistic?
Certain. It’s just up to us. We have what it takes, but we have to continue to improve. There is margin. Very.
To date, the Foxes have met every team in the ICE Hockey League, except Villach (game on November 13, at the Sparkasse Arena). Which teams are the most treacherous?
Honestly, every team we’ve faced so far has been of a good standard and they’ve all given us a hard time. In reality many teams surprised me with their level and the great improvements compared to last year. Everyone who comes here to Bolzano does it to beat us because we are a top team and winning against us makes a winning team in the league. Everyone gives 100% against us. Personally, I thought we had a good chance of winning already last year and the defeat against Salzburg was very painful indeed. Playing against them and beating them is always a goal.
Seeing you on the ice during the matches, but also today in training, you give the impression of a very united group…
This is the most important thing. In the past I played in many teams from different leagues. A winning group is made of friendship and respect on and off the ice. You only win when you are a strong group and here in Bolzano we are very united.
The new arrivals immediately integrated well and the work of those who have been here for a few years is fundamental in this. It is up to them to transmit the winning culture and guys like Frank, Halmo and Frigo have built a welcoming and friendly atmosphere in the locker room over the years. As soon as you arrive you feel part of a family.
In the initial part of the season he played on a line with Finoro as center and Salinitri as the other wing. With Mike Halmo returning from injury, he is playing on a line with him and Brad Mcclure at center. They are quite different lines…
Yes, I think Coach Hanlon is trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t. For me it’s not important who I play with, but how we play together. This year we have 4 experienced lines, and it’s just a matter of figuring out who matches with who at that moment. So, for me, it’s not important who I play online with, the important thing is that the game runs and runs well. Playing with guys like Finoro and Sally (Salinitri, ed.) gives me a great push, they are guys with great skill and speed. Lately I’ve been playing with Halmo which has similar features to mine. He plays like me, he’s very physical (smiles)…. Brad (Mcclure) is fast, so we have a mix of everything and I think that’s what it takes to be successful. That’s how it works on a winning team: if someone doesn’t play well, isn’t at his best or has a bad night, someone else steps up or if someone gets hurt, God forbid, he always knows that someone else will step up and take over. his place giving everything. This is what it takes to have a winning team.
