IL Indoor

As captain of the Minnesota Swarm and scorer of two overtime game-winning goals, 2007 defensive player of the year Ryan Cousins has led his team to a 6-1 start that included a record-setting game against the New York Titans. On the eve of the match-up between the top two teams in the East, the all-star defender talks clutch goal-scoring, winning tight games, and how he feels about those fans in Philadelphia.

Over at Insider we have a pick-ems contest running to see who can correctly predict the winners of the most games. What are the reasons we should all pick the Swarm for tomorrow night?
We need to redeem ourselves after last weekend, after that game against Buffalo. We didn’t play well at all against Buffalo, we didn’t play Swarm lacrosse. We’re due for another good game of Swarm lacrosse.

What are the keys to shutting down this Philadelphia team?
I think at some point we have to shut down their transition. I mean our team is quite good at transition too but they have a very good transition game and I think at some point we’re going to have to slow the ball, slow the game down and let our offense play five-on-five, give our transition guys a break. So the main thing is to slow down and stop their transition.

What are the strengths of this Swarm defense?
I think we’re pretty good at pressuring the ball, on-ball pressure. Another advantage is that every guy on the floor, all five guys are always aware of where the ball is. Some other teams will have their backs to the ball and not really know what’s going on around them, but for us all five guys are always aware of where the ball is and who the ball-handler is.

The past few years you guys had that split goaltending situation with Nick Patterson and Matt Disher. What kind of effect does it have on the team knowing that every game you go out there you’re going to have Patterson in net?
With the way he’s been playing this year I think the total advantage he’s given us has been amazing. I think other teams can be intimidated by it, knowing that they’re going to be playing against pretty much the best goaltender in the league so far this year. That’s probably intimidating for some of those offensive guys.

You guys weren’t bad last year, but you didn’t exactly start off 6-1. How would you compare the way the team is playing this season to seasons past?
There’s obviously a difference in the way we play in that we’ve had some tight games and the main thing is that we’ve now learned how to win those games. I think in the past we didn’t really know how to win those games, we’d get into tight situations and kind of panic and stuff like that. It feels like there’s just no panic in our team at all this year, no matter what the situation is everyone’s pretty calm and collected. I think that’s the biggest difference right there.

With the suspension on Glenn Clark being lifted, do you guys have an opinion on that or is it something you’re just putting out of your heads?
I guess we’ll just say I have no comment on the situation. You probably don’t want my comment! It doesn’t need to be heard.

You personally have had a couple of OT game-winners. Do you feel like you’ve been a clutch goal guy in the past or are things just clicking for you this season?
I’m definitely not a clutch goal guy since I’m a defensive guy by trade in this league I guess you could say. I guess I’m just a guy who can squeak a couple in here and there and it’s just been pure luck this year, the opportunities showed themselves and I’ve just kind of been there and put it away somehow.

Last week we had a player poll about fans around the league and there were a lot of comments about how brutal Philly fans are. Do you think they live up to their reputation?
I don’t think they’re brutal, I actually like playing in front of them, I like their fans. I wouldn’t say they’re brutal. They’re definitely supportive of their team and I think that’s wicked. There’s a couple fans out there that are loud and obnoxious and they bang on the glass but most of the time, you know, it’s nothing personal. They’re just cheering for their team and we’re the enemy.

Rate This Story:

(+57 rating, 13 votes)

 Loading ...