[z-man]

What is your mindset and disposition when you play? I really do not have an agressive mindset and I do not get really "fired up" during a game, no matter what happens. I am almost always feeling the same, win or lose. I can't remember ever breaking a goal stick over the crossbar or on the ice. I don't really celebrate when my team scores (or even when I score, if I am playing up). I am not really indifferent, but I don't really wear my emotions at all. I would not characterize myself as super competitive either. I like to win, but I take it in stride and don't keep track of stats, etc. I do notice that I almost always play fairly well if I am enjoying myself, and my consistency rides on that. If I am not having fun or the mood is negative, I am still trying but I do not play with my head in the game. I am also not superstitious about anything, I have no real routine. I drive to the rink different ways, I may eat mexican food two hours before the game, may or may not nap, etc. Sometimes my teammates knock me for my apparent indifference, but that is usually only in a period of losing which is only my fault to the extent that I am 1/15 of the team, and I am a believer in the team concept wholeheartedly. I never blame anybody and neither do I really absorb blame either. I feel that a 1-0 loss is no worse than a 7-0 loss because a loss is a loss, but it is how the team plays together that I am primarily concerned with. I am interested to hear about your disposition because I find the psychology of athletes interesting, of course goalies specifically.