Post by TheMainEvent on Aug 18, 2007 23:24:53 GMT -5
Nashville defeated the San Jose Sharks in 5 games (3-1, 1-0, 2-3, ?, 3-2) to become season 2's stanley cup champions
HERE IS A POST GAME INTERVIEW WITH THE NEW STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!
Brian Williams of CBC sports, Hockey Night in Canada
Brian Williams: CONGRATULATIONS COACH PEN, YOU WON THE CUP, HOW DOES IT FEEL?
Penultimate: It is really satisfying to bring everything together in the end and just fill on top of all aspects of our game. Winning the cup just cements it all
Brian Williams: What do you believe were your keys to victory throughout the playoffs, and than of course here in the cup finals?
Penultimate: We really embraced that we are a possession team. We really fought the urge to play a "fast-break" game which seems to be the preferred method in the league. Of course Vokouns outstanding performance was great to lean on as well.
Brian Williams: Speaking of Vokoun, he just received the conn smythe trophy as the playoff MVP. Talk about his performance.
Penultimate: He stepped up huge in two games in the semi-finals one with a shutout and another one goal game. In the finals he had two one goal games. One of those he stopped over 40 shots.
Brian Williams: Everyone underestimated you against Vancouver, to beat them and than defeat San Jose in 5, after San Jose just defeated the presidents trophy winners and were on fire; it was a phenomenal series, what were your thoughts on how the series went with San Jose, and what were most memorable parts of the matchup for you?
Penultimate: San Jose is one of the best hitting teams we have ever played. We were beat up in almost every game but we stuck to playing our game and didn't worry about the hit counts. The most memorable moments were Vokoun's game two performance, game 3 (we lost) had a fantastic finish with Tootoo tying up the game with a minute left, kariya's two goal performance in the final game to lock in the victory.
Penultimate: Kariya really stepped up as a leader for you in the dressing room, with alot of young talent in the lineup; in the past with Anaheim as Captain he was the leader there, but it didn't work out; why did things click so well with kariya in Nashville?
Penultimate: We played around all year with the lines and we finally found a great combination with him and Dumont being fed by Forseberg. I think Radulov learned a lot from him and brought Kariya like skills to the very strong fourth line.
Penultimate: There was really no offensive production let down on any of the 3 non-checking lines.
Brian Williams: Its only your 2nd season in the NHL, and your 1 of the original 8; what do you have to say to all of your Nashville faithful who have supported this franchise from the start
Penultimate: Thanks for staying dedicated. After the upsetting performance in season 1's playoffs we sharpened up our strategy and we are glad it paid off to our faithful. We are sorry we couldn't wins the final game in Nashville but I'm sure there will be a great celebration as we bring the cup back home.
Brian Williams: Before I let you go enjoy this with your team, is there anything else you'd like to say about your journey?
Penultimate: Thanks to all the great owners being dedicated to this great league. The owners really make this experience.
Brian Williams: Thank you very much for this interview coach, ENJOY THE CUP; YOU DESERVE IT!
