OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR

Thanks to everyone who wrote in
during the 2002-03 season!

ASK ERIC 4/6/03
Question: Hey Eric! I just wanted to thank you, the rest of the team, and Coach Cichocki for a wonderful season. My family has fallin' in love with hockey. My dad is from Pennsylvania so I grew up hearing that people from the north are not friendly. You guys blew that stereotype out of the water. I have never seen or heard of another sports team (even in the south) that was so
friendly and willing to stop for pictures and answer questions (after question) for their fans. We appreciate the time you take out of your busy lives to make each fan feel important. I hope to see each of you back on Arkansas ice next year, but I know that some will move on to other things. I wish each of you the best of luck in the future. I can't wait to introduce the baby to hockey next year. Go Blades!!!!! (Brad, Lisa, and Gabbi, who now eats broccoli)

Answer: Thank you for the nice compliments! I am glad you have had such a great experience with hockey and in particular with us! I am glad you enjoyed your first hockey season and hope to see you next year!

Question: Hey Eric, I Hope to see you back out on the ice real soon. I am 12 and one of only two girls on my team, I play for the junior riverblades. Our opponents like to check us more than the other guys, in other words they pick on us more. I was wandering what you and the guys do on your off day? And also has there ever been a girl play in the ECHL? Is it illegal? Would it be allowed? Thanks best of luck! (Kristen)

Answer: On our day off we usually rest, do errands, watch movies, the usual stuff that people do. As for girls in the ECHL, there was one girl I know of who played goalie for Charlotte. I can't remember her name, but she also played an exhibition game for the Tampa Bay Lightning!

Question: Hey Eric! I was wondering if any of the guys read any of the message boards to see what fans say about them? Also, do you guys go back "home" during the off season? (Micha)

Answer: I am not sure if the guys read the message boards? It wouldn't surprise me if they did! Most of the players go home for the summer. There are a couple of guys who stay and make Little Rock their home!

ASK ERIC 3/28/03
Question: First of all, congrats on a great season and I am so excited for the playoffs. I love my Blades! Now for the question. :) I have played lots of sports most of my life so I know the intensity games can bring. I wanted to know what you guys do to physically and mentally prepare on gameday and just before you step on the ice. (Sherry)

Answer: Everyone has different rituals to prepare themselves for games. The morning of the game there is a pregame skate. Everyone gets to warm up and sometimes we might go over different breakouts. Then it off to eat then a small nap to rest up for the game.

As for getting pumped up, hockey is unlike football and college sports in that we play so many games. The season is grueling with lots of travel, few days off, and so the players go into the games concentrating on the task at hand and not playing on emotion. As the game gets more intense you can see the heart and determination come out in each and every player!

Question: I am a little confused about when a goalie can be touched (hit), and what exactly is considered interferance with the goalie and what is not. I saw a game on TV where a goalie stoped the puck with his pad, but then the offinsive player slid into him, pushing the goalie and the puck over the goal line. It was not a goal, but, according to the announcers, it was because the net came off. Along the same lines, Fankhouser has been getting roughed up quite a bit lately. I thought you couldn't touch the goalie, especially in the crease. Does the goalie have to be bleeding, or missing a body part before they call something. Finally, Fanks has been doing a great job since his arrival. Please pass onto him how much we appreciate his hard work and are glad he chose to come be a blade. Thanks for your time, hope to see you skating again soon. (Brad)

Answer: The referee has to determine if a player was pushed into the goalie or not. If pushed it won't be a penalty. The goalie can be hit legally if he is outside of his crease. Inside the crease the goalie can not be checked but if he is bumped it usually should be a penalty! It is up to the discretion of the ref.

ASK ERIC 3/24/03
Question: Why do players take a swig of water but never swallow it? Most of the time, I see players just spit it back out...! (Sissy)

Answer: Usually you only swallow a little bit because you are breathing too heavy and you need to wet you mouth. You also don't want to get to full on water!

Question: Hey Eric!! Defensively, would you rather defend a 5-on-4 penalty kill or a 4-on-3 penalty kill (or does it really matter?) Do you play it much differently? Offensively, would you rather be on a 5-on-4 power play or a 4-on-3? ...and does it change the way you play it, too? THANKS!! Heal quick! (Simone)

Answer: A 4 on 3 is harder to defend because there is so much room on the ice. It is easier to gain entry into the zone and there is little pressure when you set up your power play. All the defending team is doing is try to give up one shot and then ice it down to kill time! A 5 on 4 you can force a lot more, and entering the zone is much harder and sometimes the puck has to be dumped.

ASK ERIC 3/23/03
Question: Often at games I see some really bad calls by the Referee or the Linesman. I understand from your previous message that the referees are minor-league referees. So (other then getting mad and yelling) is there anything that coach Cichocki can do if in this case. Is there any appeals or challenging a call? (Jeff)

Answer: Jeff, that is a good question! There is no challenge like there is in the NFL or appeals process. There is a director of officials in the league offices that you can voice your displeasure for the officiating. Also, the ref's and linesmen have evaluations that are sent out by the league every so often (twice a year?)to the coaches so they can rate each one.

ASK ERIC 3/20/03
Question: Hey Eric! In trying to learn more about hockey, I've started reading things like The Hockey News". It often refers to the "smaller neutral zone" and teams that "trap" benefitting from it. What is trapping and what does the size of the neutral zone have to with it. Also, THN makes it sound as if "trapping" is not real hockey. Could you explain that? Thanks a lot!!!We hope to see you on the ice soon! (Lisa)

Answer: Thanks Lisa! I hope to be on the ice, soon as well! irst of all, the neutral zone is the area on the ice that is between both blue lines. Trapping is when the team without the puck sets up in a defensive formation that forces the offensive team to dump the puck before the red line. The centerman will set up in front of the net with the two wings standing at the top of the face off circles. The centerman then directs the puck carrier one way or the other where the wingers are waiting for him. This makes the offensive team pass the puck before they are ready and slows them down. By slowing them down through the nuetral zone the offensive team can't generate any momentum as they move toward or goal.

This type of game is usually low scoring and not very exciting to watch, which is why it gets so much negative attention. The reason it is used it because it is very effective! We have used it lately when we were short some players and have been successful. The Jackson Bandits use this system all the time and that is why the games we play against them are so low scoring.

ASK ERIC 3/19/03
Question: I have two questions Eric. The first is when two players are having a face off why does the ref sometimes makes one of them switch out with another player? Also if the RiverBlades are called a minor leage team than what team in the NHL do they belong to? (Michael)

Answer: The reason for the switching of centermen is that they are cheating and not lined up properly or the other players are not lined up outside of the face off circle. As for the second question, the RiverBlades are not affiliated with an NHL club. This means that all our players are free agents and can be called up to any AHL team which is directly linked to their NHL parent club. You don't have to be affliliated to be a minor league team.

Question: Why have the Riverblades started wearing the red sweaters at home lately? (Brad)

Answer: All the teams in the league are wearing their "away" uniforms at home for the second half of the season. I think the reason for this is so that the fans get to see both jerseys.

ASK ERIC 3/4/03
Question: 1) After several games, Fankhouser is still wearing his mask from the Royals. Who is responsible for getting him a new one? Who gets to decide what goes on it? Are there any limitations on what can go on it? Are your sticks made for each players or is it pretty standard? (handles, weight, etc...)

Answer: Fankhouser probably won't get a new mask this season, because it takes too long to paint, and there won't be enough time left in the season. He could normally pick whatever design he wants on his mask that he would want, otherwise. As for the sticks, each player has their own "pattern" that they order from the manufacturer, so each stick is made for each player, a little differently. They have different weights, whip, lie, and curve, depending on each players needs.

Question: 2) I have seen many inconsistencies with the officiating. What may be considered a legal check to one my be considered roughing to another. Why is this? How are they assigned which games they will officiate?

Answer: This inconsistency in the officiating is just part of the game. The refs are minor-league referees like we are minor league hockey players, they are going to make mistakes, and hopefully get better and be able to move up, just like the players. The league assigns referees to each game.

Question: 3) Who has the most of their original teeth? (in their mouth) Who has the most false teeth?

Answer: Most of the guys have all their original teeth-all three goalies do, Pags, Storky, Max, Gary Toor, Mike Sandbeck, Dean Stock, Aaron Davis. I don't know who has lost the most teeth, but it would probably be Bermy. He lost 6 last year alone, and he didn't miss a single game.

Question: 4)Does the league allow you to get jobs in the off season?

Answer: Yes. Almost everyone works over the summer. Players are only under contract with the teams from October until the end of the season.

Question: 5)Who are the men in the penalty box? what are they there for? Are they part of the arena staff or ECHL?

Answer: Those are the off-ice officials, they keep stats of shots on goal, and run the clock and the penalty box. I think they are part of the ECHL but I am not positive. Thanks for all your questions!

ASK ERIC 2/27/03
Question: My family and I have become huge hockey fans this year, and we have the Riverblades to thank for all of that. So I'd like to say thanks to all of you. Specifically, thanks to you, Jason and Rocky for telling my 2 year old you eat and enjoy broccoli. I have gotten the hang of most rules, but still have a couple of questions. Against Mississippi a few weeks back, it seemed like they just grabbed a hold of you guys and held on to you the entire game. I thought that was against the rules, and thought I had seen it called in the past. What is story on holding? Secondly, we all know what the red light behind the goal is for, what is the purpose of the green light? Thanks for your time. (Brad)

Answer: Broccoli should be an important part of every hockey fan's diet! Now as for your question, holding is absolutely against the rules, but it is a discretionary call with the ref, and is usually only called in the most extreme and blatant situations. What you observed, was what is typically called "holding up" which basically means to slow your opponent down, obstruct his positioning, and giving your players time to make plays. There is a fine line between holding, which is a penalty, and holding up, and it is up the ref.

As for your second question, the green light behind the goal is is hooked up to the official time clock, and when the green light goes on, time has expired--so even if the red light goes on (goal), if the green light is on, it won't count, time is up. (Green light answer courtesy of Goaltender Scott Fankhouser)

Question: Hi Eric! It's been thrilling watching the team this season! Just curious, in shootouts like last night, how do you guys determine who will shoot & in what order? Keep up the good work! (Tracy)

Answer: Thanks for the compliment Tracy! It has been thrilling to be part of such a great season, so far. In shootouts, Coach determines who will shoot and in what order.

ASK ERIC 2/22/03
Question: 1. What does a team have to do to make the playoffs? 2. Why dont the teams shake hands after a game? (Darrell Bickel)

Answer: 1. The top five teams in each division make the playoffs. The fourth place team plays the fifth place team in a one game playoff. The winner goes on to play the one seed and the second place team plays the third place team with the winner advancing.

2. Teams shake hands at the end of a playoff series. I am not sure why it isn't done after every game?

ASK ERIC 2/21/03
Question: First, congratulation on last night's win in Baton Rouge. I would like to better understand the circumstances surrounding fighting on the ice. To me, the fighting seems staged almost WWF-like. Does the front office encourage fighting to up attendance or is our announcer at Alltel not up to the minute on why one player begrudges another? Is fighting born of grudges? Or do the players fight because of the way they're being 'played' or 'handled' in that evening's game? (Kristy)

Answer: If fights were staged I would be in more of them!! There are certain players who are responsible for doing the majority of the fighting, but that doesn't mean it is in anyway like the WWF.

The front office has nothing to do with the fighting that goes on. Fighting is part of hockey. They happen for different reasons. If a player like myself gets in a fight it is usually out of anger or harrassment. If Mark Scott gets in a fight, it is a time in the game when we need a little lift or momentum or he is sticking up for one of his teammates. Fighting can be used to intimidate other teams or send a message that if you slash this guy then you are going to have to answer to someone.

ASK ERIC 2/19/03
Question: I was just wondering what Buddy Smith's real name was. What is Buddy short for? Thanks (Abby)

Answer: Buddy's legal name is: Buddy Ryan Smith.

Question: Eric, First I have to say, "Thank you so much for telling my 2 yr old to eat broccoli." She will at least let it stay on her plate. Hopefully, she will eat it soon. Tell Jason and Ernie (if you see him) that I really appreciate it. Ok my question....How long does it take to get used to playing with a new player? How about a different goalie? Do you notice fans during the game (hitting the glass, yelling, etc.) or do you block it out and concentrate only on the game? Thanks!!! (Lisa)

Answer: It depends on which players you are playing with. Some players have a better "feeling" for the game and can adapt to situations faster than others. In these situations there is little to no adjustment that needs to be made. As far as a goalie goes, there is definitely a difference in the way a team plays. Teams usually play with more confidence when the goalie is playing well and the players will play looser and try more things if they feel that the goalie is there to bail them out if need be.

As for the fans, you really only notice if it is a small or large crowd. You don't hear any one person yelling or banging. The large crowds do play a factor in the energy level of the game. Unfortunately, this past Saturday's game was the exception since there was a large crowd and we didn't play well in front of them.

ASK ERIC 2/16/03
Question: Hey there Eric! My family is one of the Riverblades biggest fans. We were just wondering how long Jason Saal will be out? Also, we heard that Ernie got called up again, how long might he be gone? We have a great team this year and really would like to see us go all the way!!! It just seems that we have a lot of our players gone or hurt. Just wanted some insight from your point of view! Ya'll are the best hang in there and remember we are behind you ALL THE WAY!! Love you guys! (The Giffords)

Answer: I am not sure when Jason will be able to play? Scott Fankhouser was aquired over the weekend to help with the goaltending.

Ernie was called up on Friday and played this weekend and did great!! With call ups it is hard to tell when and if he will be sent back? He is doing well so it is going to make it hard for Worcester to part with him, but if guys from St. Louis are sent to Worcester it becomes a numbers game and Ernie could be the odd man out. In sum, I really can't answer either of your questions with certainty, but it will all work itself out soon!

ASK ERIC 2/9/03
Question: Big Ern told me that he has signed an AHL contract, when will he be leaving and how will the team replace him?? (Jenny)

Answer: Big Ern signed a tryout agreement which is good for a maximum of 25 games but can be terminated at any time by the AHL club . In his case his contract with Worcester was terminated when he was sent back to Arkansas. These types of contracts are used to bring in players for short term use. The two main reasons to sign a player to this type of contract is to fill a short term need because of injury or to give a player a look to see if he has the potential to play at that level. In Ernie's case it was a little of both! This is the same type of contract that Jason Bermingham and I signed at the end of last season when we were called up to the AHL.

Unfortunately, Ernie got injured before he could get into a game. He is now under contract with Arkansas and this gives him the option to sign with any AHL club that would be interested in him.
To answer your question, there are no immediate plans for him to leave so there is no plan to replace him! But, like all the other young prospects on our team, the move to the next level is only a phone call away!

ASK ERIC 2/7/03
Question: There is a situation with a team in the ACHL where the coach has been suspended for throwing coins on the ice during the game. He then calls the ref's attention to it, blames it on the fans and gets a stoppage in play to stop momentum or give players a rest. Some are intimating that this happens a lot and in most of the leagues. Have you ever seen this done? (Gina)

Answer: I have seen this done! It is rare, but it does happen. This tactic isn't used as much anymore. Now the coach will call the referee over to "talk" or the goalie will fix a pad, or the coach will send six players on the ice and wait for the ref to make him take one off. These are all common stalling techniques used by coaches!

ASK ERIC 2/6/03
Question: Eric, this is the guy that was running the bowling alley a couple weeks ago when you and some of the guys came bowling. I would first like to thank you for just being extremely nice while you were there. It says something for you guys by how you all act out in the public. My question regards the +/- numbers. I saw on the ECHL page the performer of the month was figured by the +/- numbers, how is that figured and what exactly does it mean. (Michael)

Answer: First, thanks for the kind words! We had a great time bowling and hope to get out there again soon!! We will give you a heads up so you can show us a thing or two on the lanes!

To answer your question....The players on the ice receive a plus when we score a goal and receive a minus when they are scored against. Plus-minus counts in every situation except when a goal is scored on a power play. Shorthanded, empty net, delayed-penalty and pulled-goalie goals all contribute to a player's plus-minus. Sometimes, the stat is considered unfair. If you jump onto the ice surface for a line change and are well away from the play when a goal is scored, it still counts against you. Also, top defensemen generally play against the other team's most skilled forwards, which could deflate their figures. But for the most part, the stat is considered a fair judge of a player's ability to play a balanced two-way game.

ASK ERIC 2/3/03
Question: What do you think about the ECHL and WCHL joining for next year? Also what do you the of Ernie getting to move up to the AHL? Best of luck to the 'Blades!! (Ian)

Answer: I think it will be good for the league. The WCHL will likely be changing their vet rules, salary cap, etc. to conform to the way the ECHL is doing things now, and there will be a Western Division consisting of those WCHL teams, that will play each other the majority of the time. So overall, it will make the league as a whole, larger, more competitive, and exciting for the fans to see the occasional game against a Western team.

As for Ernie's callup to the AHL, it is a well-deserved reward for Ernie. It is unfortunate that he got hurt, but hopefully he will get the call again sometime this season.

OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR