Features > Player Spotlight- #33 Mario Retana
Player Spotlight- #33 Mario Retana
by Chris Bilder, Generals Staff Writer
Eugene, OR-
Chris Bilder: This is your first year of Junior hockey. Is the experience what you thought it would be?
Mario Retana: I definitely expected a lot of ice time, and it is new to me because we’re on the ice all the time. Fighting is definitely something cool to watch.
CB: What is the major difference between playing Midget hockey and Junior hockey from a goaltender’s standpoint?
MR: I guess the difference for goaltenders is that a lot of the goalies move the puck really well, and that is one thing I hope to work on. The players can handle the puck really well, there a lot harder shots and you have a lot more people crashing the net that know how to screen the goalie.
CB: Describe your style of goaltending.
MR: It’s a hybrid of standup and butterfly. I use my flexibility as a last resort tool if I need to make a sprawling save. I’m not afraid to do the splits if I have to.
CB: What area of your game most benefits the team?
MR: My ability to get in front of the shot and use my whole body, and not just my quick reaction time. I feel like I can get my entire body in front of the shot. I also direct rebounds to the side, and not in front of the net.
CB: You have played in 4 games this season, and you have a 2.31 Goals Against Average (GAA), a .908 Save Percentage (SV%) and 4 wins. Are your numbers where you want them to be?
MR: Yes. I’m definitely working on keeping my GAA under 2.5, and I want to get one more goose egg before the season ends.
CB: How did it feel to have a shutout in your first career Junior game?
MR: It was the best thing I could have hoped for. I just wanted to prove to the players and to everybody that I belong here. I tried to make a statement with that shutout.
CB: What are your goals for the season?
MR: Practice hard, and take practices as game time situations. Go all the way, and be ready whenever my number is called.
CB: What has been your favorite moment this season?
MR: It would have to be the Puget Sound game when I had my shutout. Not only did I get the shutout, but I was able to do it when my mom was visiting. Just to see the look on her face was pretty cool.
CB: What is the hardest thing about being the backup goaltender?
MR: Probably the first few hours before a hockey game, just trying to get your head in the game, and never knowing exactly when you are going to get into a game. Just being ready when your number is called, basically.
CB: What does the team have to do to beat the Tri-City Titans this weekend?
MR: I think if we get an early lead, and carry that into the second period, and we work hard in the third period. We need to have our defense look behind them and make sure there is nobody cherry picking. If we can do those things I think we’ll have a good chance of beating them this weekend.