As the Kentucky Stickhorses hit their midway point, they sit at 2-3 on the season after splitting the weekend with the Baltimore Bombers. I spoke with transition man Eric O’Brien about the season so far, and playing with the Stickhorses organization.
“The season has been great from a professional and organizational standpoint.” says O’Brien. “The W-L column has been the tough part. We ended this past weekend with a solid OT win over Baltimore. This was a much needed W because it gets the team back on the confidence page, knowing we can win games. At this level it is tough to manage losing 2-3 games in a row. Woody {Chazz Woodson} and {Jesse} Guerin give us a different look on offense, we are all coming to our rolls/positions at the right time. Look for Kentucky to make out run and win the inaugural NALL Championship.”
O’Brien is one of several players with Kentucky who also plays with the Ohio Machine. He says that has been a part of the experience for him in Louisville. “We have a very tight group in Columbus. Working together and training together year round thanks to Ohio State and Coach D. Between Kelly, Bice, Schmidt, Schroder and I, we all have different styles and learn a lot from each other. The biggest thing, we all enjoy the game. We are constantly pushing each other to hit new levels in training. Like a second family in Columbus.
“It definitely helps the chemistry when we hit the field together. Things have clicked with the 1-2 punch at the face off x, I enjoy backing up Kelly when needed. At times you will see Bice, Kelly, Schmidt and I all the penalty kill unit, we click well with the rotation and communication.”
Lastly, O’Brien talks about playing in two professional leagues, and their differences. “MLL is much different because you are seeing a different team each week. That will change in a year or two as the NALL grows. Different strategies, rules, smaller goals all make the 2 leagues much different which makes you train differently for each season.”