home jobs contact us
Our Clients:
Browse by Sport
Find us on ASAP sports on Facebook ASAP sports on Twitter
ASAP Sports RSS Subscribe to RSS
Click to go to
Asaptext.com
ASAPtext.com
ASAP Sports e-Brochure View our
e-Brochure

NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: DEVILS v SENATORS


May 20, 2003


Jacques Martin


EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY: Practice Day

Q. Was it Roger's idea to come in and talk to the team? Did he approach you and say that he wanted to come and talk?

JACQUES MARTIN: Well, I think from time to time Roger, that's part of our preparation. You know, I think, you know, we share the responsibility that way.

Q. (Inaudible)?

JACQUES MARTIN: Sometimes, you know, yeah.

Q. Was this speech maybe more meaningful, emotional, considering the circumstances their team was in and what Roger faces?

JACQUES MARTIN: Well, you know, I think our players are well-aware of what, you know, he's going through, you know, where we're at. I think that that's all part of preparation. You know, a certain part of the preparation is strategy. A certain part is realization of where you're at, making sure your athletes are prepared to battle and go to war. You know, I think that was yesterday, and now we're faced with today, and tomorrow is another battle. We have to be prepared for that battle.

Q. Do you envisage Spezza playing as much as he did last night in the road game? Will that be necessary?

JACQUES MARTIN: Can you repeat that, sorry?

Q. Do you anticipate Spezza playing as much as he did last night in this road game or will that be necessary because Hossa may not be a hundred percent?

JACQUES MARTIN: Well, you never know game to game from a standpoint of, you know, who's going, who's not going. You know, I think that looking at last night's game, we've been playing -- both teams actually play four lines. I think he's been a player that's been used on the power player, you know, all year. I mean, that's one of his assets, depending on how things are going. I can't remember what his total ice time was last night, but I thought he had a good game, a good performance. You know, I think he helped us win the hockey game. You know, I'm sure that tomorrow we're going to count on him and count on everybody else to help us win the game.

Q. Can you just clarify what you said about Chris Neil in English? You need 25 players to win a Stanley Cup, and that players have to understand these decisions?

JACQUES MARTIN: Yeah. It's something that we talked about, you know, at the beginning. And from time to time in the playoffs, every player wants to be playing, you know, wants to be dressed and participate. But when you're part of a team, you understand your role, and your role changes from day to day. In Chris' situation, I think that, you know, he's a good team player, he's a character individual, he's a player that is committed to this organization. It's something that he has no control over. It's the decision of the coach, who he calls upon. He just has to stay ready to be called upon. When you look at teams that win cups, you know, you usually use 25 to 30 players in the playoffs. Sometimes there's different ways of contributing. Chris has brought a tremendous contribution. I mean, you just got to stay focused and stay prepared.

Q. How do you build off that win and take confidence from that into Game 6?

JACQUES MARTIN: Well, I think the key is to be better, to realize and to accept what they give you, to be patient, try to exploit those areas.

Q. A lot of people have been talking about Roger, talking about the speech he gave. Can you discuss what he brings to the team, how his role may have changed over the past months and everything?

JACQUES MARTIN: Well, I think it's obvious that he can't do as much as he used to, but he's still very helpful, just, you know, communicating, talking, being an individual that's been around the game for so long. Whenever he can, I think he helps out. I think we appreciate what he brings, the kind of person he is. Hopefully, you know -- you know, his battle is twofold. Hopefully I think he can just continue with the battle.

Q. Do you think that your team needed some kind of speech or talk from somebody, whether it was Roger or a player or yourself? Do you think that's what was necessary before Game 5 for a little extra kick?

JACQUES MARTIN: Well, you know, every game is different. I think when you look back, we probably had a stronger start in Game 4 really. When you look at our performance in the first two periods of Game 4, our first period in Game 4 was better than last night. I said it after Game 4, I like what we brought to the table. I think the players were really ready to play. Sometimes you don't control all the elements. We were a victim of certain things that are beyond our control. But I liked the way that we played in those first two periods in Game 4. I thought we had great chances, we established tempo, did a lot of right things. Sometimes you get a say where you have things go your way, it makes a difference in a hockey game. But I think we need to continue that. I thought that we continued that last night and I think the fact that, you know, playing at home, I think our fans were definitely a factor. I think the energy from the crowd, the enthusiasm I think helped our players.

End of FastScripts...

About ASAP SportsFastScripts ArchiveRecent InterviewsCaptioningUpcoming EventsContact Us
FastScripts | Events Covered | Our Clients | Other Services | ASAP in the News | Site Map | Job Opportunities | Links
ASAP Sports, Inc. | T: 1.212 385 0297