Hitmen and Americans prepare for Final

A day before the two teams hit the ice for Game 1 of the 2010 WHL Final, both sides had a lot to say regarding the upcoming series.

Mike Williamson - Hitmen Head Coach

"We have a lot of players on our team that had the opportunity to get to the finals last year. Those members of the team and those of us that weren’t there realize what a special opportunity this is to have a second chance to work our way to this opportunity that we have now.This is a second opportunity for those guys to be able to come back and maybe make amends and have an opportunity to go forward. It’s a special thing."

Any injuries?

"For playing as many games as we have in the last months since playoffs started, we’ve got a few bumps and bruises but nothing major. Our guys are excited to play."

Preperation?

"Mentally to have a few days to prepare and get away and check out and take care of those bumps and bruises and get that excitement going. It was good to have those days off and now our guys are ready."

What do you build on?

"The last game we played was our best to date by far. It was the best start we’ve had, the most we’ve been able to sustain momentum and play start to finish. That’s the type of effort we’re going to need to start this series and we’re going to have to continue to get better."

What have you told the team?

"We just have to preach on the importance. Tri-City is a team that prides itself on strong starts. They’re a momentum team that seems to really feed off of positive things that go their way. Any time you start the game, start periods or they get a goal, that next shift has to be your absolute best or they’re going to build on that."

"It’s nice that both conference champions have made it this far and the winner gets to move on and represent the Western Hockey League in Brandon."

Jim Hiller - Americans Head Coach

Any secrets between the two teams?

"There’s not a lot of secrets anymore with the players and how interconnected they are. With the internet games we’ve watched Calgary play a fair amount here especially over the last 10 days or so. We know what they do and they likely know what we do. The secrets are few and far between. Once you get into a couple periods, you get a real good sense of what’s going on.There’s so much on the line that that rivalry will be created probably on the first shift."

Underdogs?

"You know what, I don’t. I have a lot of confidence and belief in our team and that’s what’s carried us this far. If you look up and down, we don’t have the star players if that’s what you want to call it, but we’re very well balanced. We’ve got a lot of players really trying to get that leg up and try to really elevate their standings with the World Juniors among NHL scouts and all those kind of things. I think we’re well balanced and we don’t feel at all intimidated.We were able to go into some real tough buildings like in Kelowna and win on the road. Just recently, to be able to beat the Vancouver Giants three times in four nights, twice in their building, I think speaks a lot about our players and the courage and the character and being able to go out and play just as hard on the road as at home."

Martin Jones - Hitmen goalie

"It just speaks volumes about our organization and the foundation that Kelly’s built here. We had such a good leadership core last year and that really carried over this year with the guys returning. It’s just a good program here and we’re proud to be back."

Brandon Kozun - Hitmen forward, leads WHL playoffs in points

Gameplan

"At the end of the day you’ve got to make sure you play your game. We know they’re going to be good, so we’ve got to make sure we come out, play our game and hope it goes well."

How are you feeling?

"I feel pretty good right now. I’ve just got to make sure I keep working hard. I have that confidence in myself. I think sometimes I’ll get a little bit frustrated sometimes, but when I stick to it and I’m out there having fun, I think that’s when I’m at my best."

How does back-t0-back finals feel?

"It’s a huge honour to be back in the finals and I think it speaks volumes about our organization and what Kelly Kisio has done here as well as Mike Williamson and our team and what we’ve done. You’re going to see two pretty good, dynamic teams that are going to be playing this series. It’s going to be a fun one for the fans to watch. It should be very entertaining."

Brendan Shinnimin, Tri-City forward and leading scorer


Talk about the team

"We’ve got a good group of forwards, young forwards that all contribute to our scoring. It’s good that if one guy or two guys are off on a night that we have those guys that’ll back us up and we get it done by committee. That’s always great to have."

"At the beginning of the year I think we were rated seventh in the west and we knew we were a lot better than that coming into the season and we set our goals to get here and we knew we had a really good shot at getting here. I don’t think we’re surprised at all. We knew we had the team to get here and it’s panned out that way. It’s been a great ride and a great journey and we expected to be here."

What's the goal?

"We’re here to win a WHL championship and hopefully make it on to the Memorial Cup."

"I think we just have a well-balanced team and we’ve got a lot of guys that have a lot of heart. We don’t have high draft picks or high-end guys. We just have a lot of guys that want to prove themselves and make a name for themselves, so each night we’re coming out and giving our best every night and that’s I think what got us here."

How do you assess losing 3-0 to Hitmen in Calgary in regular season

"We haven’t seen them much besides that so we’ll have to look at some video and scouting reports to see what we need to do to play against these guys. We’ve done some of that, so we’re ready and we’re excited to get the game going tomorrow."

How are the nerves?

"Obviously there’s going to be some nerves. This is the WHL final and we’re playing it in front of a huge crowd here and we want to do well. I think after the first 10 minutes, the first period we’re going to get those nerves out and start playing our game."

Drew Owsley - Tri-City goalie

Talk about getting to this point

"It’s hard to get here. It’s been a long year, a grind, but I think we’ve paid our dues and we’ve worked really hard. We’re excited to be here."

Do you feel a lot of pressure being put on your shoulders to carry this team?

"I don’t want to put that much pressure on myself, but obviously goaltending’s a big part of the playoffs so I know I’ve got to play good, but I don’t want to put that much pressure on myself. I’m a bit of a smaller goalie, so I’ve got to play a bit of a different style of game. I’ve got to come out and challenge the shooters and use my reactions a little bit more than say a bitter goalie. I’m just trying to give my team a chance to win out there and talk to my d-men and make it easier on them."

How is the team feeling?

"Obviously we’re pretty excited to be here. This is what you play all year for.We’re looking forward to an entertaining and competitive series. We’re just excited to get it going tomorrow."