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NHL STANLEY CUP FINALS: STARS v DEVILSJune 5, 2000Brian RafalskiDALLAS, TEXAS: Game Four Q. What is the biggest challenge that you find about facing Modano and Hull? Anything that might be different than you faced from the other top lines earlier in the Playoffs? BRIAN RAFALSKI: A lot more speed, maybe, their shift gear harder to pin down, and they cycle real well and support each other. They are able to find the open spaces and create time for themselves, so the hardest part is taking their time away. Q. You said before that you are thinking game by game, and I know that; but now that you are three games into it, is there anything about the Stanley Cup Finals that has surprised you, or what have you seen that is different from say the previous rounds? BRIAN RAFALSKI: The amount of media attention. Not much difference. We just haven't played this team much this year, so it is a different look. Q. Harder to focus? BRIAN RAFALSKI: No. I mean, when you are this close, it is easier to focus. As long as your team is left, it is just between you two. You don't have to worry about who you are going to be playing in the next round. This is the end. Q. Talk about the time that -- the ice time is spread out so widely among the players. Does that mean a lot more to you because you are fresher than the Stars? BRIAN RAFALSKI: You mean, the whole the team? We are trying to matchup a little more the top two lines. When they are playing, we have to -- defensive pairings, you know, we don't have as much time to relax. The forwards have maybe a little more energy with rolling four lines. Q. In order to get the matchups you want, especially on the road, you and Scott have to do the changes on the fly frequently. How much discipline does that require, and who is responsible for making sure you get on and off the ice without the penalty? BRIAN RAFALSKI: It is a group responsibility. We have been doing it throughout Playoffs every series now, and we were -- got caught a couple of times in the Florida series with too many men on the ice. As we have gotten along, we have got more disciplined with it and more ready. It has become easier for us because there is more communication, and we know when we are supposed to change, so it is easier as the Playoffs have gone on this year. Q. Are you impressed or surprised or whatever from the level of play that Scott Stevens took himself to in the Playoffs? BRIAN RAFALSKI: I am not surprised. He has been a great player for so many years that he still has it in him. He is still in great shape. I think he was, you know, climbing up a hill towards Playoffs, getting better as the season went along and preparing himself for the Playoffs. He has been able to do that this year and really step up in the Playoffs and play more minutes than he was maybe in the regular season. Q. (inaudible) BRIAN RAFALSKI: I have been doing that like in years in Finland, because I knew we were making the Playoffs. That is the focus I have had, making it to the Finals the previous two years in my League in Finland. So I had a pretty good idea of what I had to do. End of FastScripts… |
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