Through his first six games with the Brooklyn Aces this season, defenseman Andrew Scampoli proved to be a solid offensive player, scoring six points and looking as if he’d found himself a nice niche on the Aces powerplay. However, soon after, Scampoli was offered an opportunity to play in Holland. Gone for the next two months, Scampoli left a void on the Aces team that despite solid offensive contributions from Doug Hoffman and Nick Grove, was never replaced.
Simply put, Scampoli was the X-factor the team needed on the blue line. Now back with the team, Scampoli and the Aces can attempt to continue right where they left off- on top of the EPHL.
In this interview with Aces Over Brooklyn before the Aces took on the Hudson Valley Bears on Sunday, Scampoli talks about his expectations the rest of the season and what his trip to Holland was like.
Aces Over Brooklyn- How does it feel to be back?
Andrew Scampoli- It’s good. I was keeping track of the boys when I was gone and it was good to see that they were doing great and were still in first place. It was a little weird last night though; I think the boys could tell that my legs weren’t quite there and I got held back quite a few times. I think it’s important though because I was really out of it. I hope over the next few games I can get back to where I was and help the team the way our coach and I want me to. It’s great to be back, but now it’s time to get back to work.
AOB- What do you think is the biggest difference between playing here and in Holland?
Scampoli- The ice surface and style of play. There were a lot of North Americans out there, a lot. They were very physical of course, but with a bigger ice surface there, it softens the game up. Here, every time I have the puck, there’s a guy on the other team right on top of me. I think that last night, playing against a team like Danbury, that is so physical, made it hard for me to get back on track as quickly as I would have liked. It was a huge test though. Now that I’m back, I know I have to make quicker decisions with the puck.
AOB- What are your expectations the rest of the season?
Scampoli- The rest of the season, I hope I can help the team like the five or six games I was here before. I want to try and help on the blue line and move the puck up and get it to these forwards, who look like they can score at will at times. Overall, I just want to make the contributions the coach expects me to.
AOB- What do you think is the biggest difference in the team from when you were here earlier in the season and right now?
Scampoli- Not much. There are a few players here now that have come since I was here and I wasn’t here for what happened with Chad Wilcox and James Brannigan, but I don’t think there’s too much of a difference. The same philosophies are still in play and things are still the same. This team wants to win.
AOB- Did you always know that you were going to come back to the team after Holland or was it something you eventually decided to do?
Scampoli- I had a general idea that was going to be the case and I hoped things would work out that way. I’m happy that they did. When I talked to coach [Firriolo] and told him that I got this opportunity, he was really supportive and he told me right away that when I came back, he’d like me to rejoin the team. We kept in touch the whole time I was there and a week before my flight I let him know I was coming back and he told me he wanted me to come back and help this team make the playoffs and hopefully get that championship.
Photos by Patrick Hickey Jr.
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on Mar 30th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
yeah scamps hv eagles for life