Anderson Angle 04.24.26

1.      Colonials saved their best for the playoffs.  How would you describe the season overall and what do you think the team did better in the playoffs than during the regular season?

After adding the Klines to the team, I felt like we had a legitimate chance to compete this year.  Early on, I think we struggled a bit to click.  We had to adjust to their faster playing style and they had to adjust to our more, let's just say, methodical approach.  It took us all a while to find our roles.  That includes myself.  I wasn't quite sure how best to help the team.  But I think once the playoffs came along, we finally found our stride as a team.  Our best games as a group were the first Eagles game when we were able to play stingy defense with Brian in net, and the two finals games against the Invaders.  

2.       Invaders only lost 1 game all season ----  Were you surprised to win both games against them in fairly convincing fashion?

Yes.  I thought they were the best team all year long.  I reffed a good share of their games and they dominated.  While reffing though, I had a good look at them and thought that if we could slow Brandon down, we would have a chance.  Obviously they have a lineup full of weapons, but Brandon has been a beast for the past few seasons.  We couldn't let him put up 5 a game against us.  I think we had a good game plan to try to slow him down a bit in the finals and it seemed to work.  Plus, as I said above, we finally seemed to find our stride as a group.

3.      Noah and Jake ---- What was it like being their friend this season instead of the enemy?

It's so much easier to play with them than against them.  Noah completely dominated the fall league.  We only played them once, but if we would have played him again in the playoffs, we were going to focus on him.  But like Brandon, you won't stop him completely.  On the other hand, I told Jake after we won the championship that I was glad that he wasn't defending me and blocking all my shots this season.  He's as good as they come on the back end.  He spends more time laying out than most goalies.  He's a beast in his own right!

4.      You will be expected to carry more weight this summer in Brockway.  Do you look forward to the challenge and how tough will it be replacing guys like Zach and Joe?

To be perfectly honest, at my age, I don't think I am able to carry teams anymore.  Zach and Joe are both really good players and big losses.  I understand players wanting to jump around and play with different guys.  Maintaining the same roster year after year isn't for everyone.  But I am disappointed that many of the best players decided to form a super team.  That puts a damper on the league in my opinion.  We won't have teams like Interim and the Assassins from last year that were legitimate contenders.  Instead, we go into the season already knowing who's likely to win it.  Despite that, I'm looking forward to getting back outdoors with a puck.

5.      Randy Carlson tournament is around the corner.  Its still a little early, but what can you say about the teams so far and the event in general?

I'm excited!  We have 14 teams again and they all have talent.  We will have 2 divisions and everyone will be guaranteed at least 6 games.  The top 8 teams will qualify for the playoffs.  I can tell you from looking at the teams, it won't be easy to get in.  It'll be very competitive, and hopefully, in a good way.

6.      Weather is always a factor for the event ------  What day do you really start paying attention to the projected forecast and would you consider pushing to move it back to Reynoldsville if we would be forced to cancel the tournament on both Saturday and Sunday due to rain?

We do a lot of working preparing the event.  The one thing we can't control is the weather though.  I'll probably start looking at the forecast about a week out.  But I don't take it too seriously until around Wednesday.  We haven't had much luck getting this tournament in on Saturdays in the past few years.  Hopefully lady luck will be on our side this year.  There aren't any plans to move the event indoors.

7.      Game 4 tonight in Philly.   Whats your gut telling you for tonights game?

I'm surprised the Penguins have played so poorly in this series.  They were so resilient all season long.  Everytime I counted them out, they bounced back.  But there hasn't been any pushback in this series.  I think we're seeing the end of an era in front of our eyes.  If there was any doubt about turning the page, it should be erased with another loss on Saturday.

8.      What other observations have you noticed in the NHL playoffs so far?

I really haven't had a chance to watch much.  I follow the scores but don't know much else.  One team that stands out to me is Montreal.  I think they are going to be really good for several years to come.  I'd like to see them beat Tampa Bay.  I'd also like to see Minnesota prevail against Dallas out west.  But to me, this is Colorado's playoffs to lose.

9.        Whats your overall take of the pirates so far and do you think they can play at an above average level throughout the season?

It's our luck as Pirates fans to finally have a competitive team and for that NL Central to be a juggernaut.  But they can only control what they do on the field.  So far, they've been in almost every game.  Cruz finally looks like he's living up to the hype and the starting pitching is awesome!  The bullpen...not so much!