QUICK FIVE QUESTIONS WITH MAVERICK COACH SCOTT HILLMAN
Scott Hillman is busy getting his Missouri Mavericks team ready for Friday’s highly anticipated opener at the Independence Events Center, but he took a few minutes for a quick, Quick Five.
1. Are you disappointed with the team’s 2-6-1 start? Certainly we’re disappointed. We would have loved to have come home for our first game with a 9-0 record, but we’re working hard to become a cohesive unit. We’ve experienced some growing pains, and we did that on the road. I guarantee you that even though we have been outscored, no team has outworked our team.
2. How important is it to you personally to have a win as the Mavericks come home for their first game in front of the hometown fans? Oh, my goodness, it’s huge. It’s a relief to get that first win and we wish we had a lot more. We’re a work in progress and we’re going to work hard this week in practice to make sure we’re ready to give the best possible performance when we play at home for the first time.
3. What should the fans expect Friday night in the opener? A very, very energetic group of players who are going to be working hard on offense to put the puck in the opponent’s net and working hard to keep the opponent from scoring. We’ve made some changes in players over the first nine games and I think we’re getting closer to becoming the team we envisioned before the season began.
4. What do you think of the Independence Events Center? It’s wonderful, one of the best – if not the best – facilities in the Central Hockey League. I can’t imagine a nicer arena. It’s brand new, it has the practice sheet of ice and it’s so easy to get to. I think the fans are going to love it and we’re going to love playing in it.
5. Does Independence feel like home? Absolutely. Unike most of the boys on team, I’ve been here with my family for about six months. I know how to get to the Events Center and a few other places around town and my family and I love our new home.
