Luongo Conference Call

Roberto Luongo

Wake the kids and call the neighbors. It's time once again for another edition of Fun with Conference Call Transcripts.

Roberto Luongo is a legitimate MVP candidate, posting 44 wins, a 2.26 goals-against average, and a .923 save percentage in leading the Vancouver Canucks to the playoffs. So it's only natural the NHL media had a conference call with him Wednesday afternoon. The complete transcript follows. All Luongo's answers are real, except I changed the questions. Once again, only the questions have been changed. Enjoy.

LCS: Geez, sorry I'm late, Roberto, but I woke up and couldn't find my pants again. Third time this week. But I'm sure you know what that's like, right?

ROBERTO LUONGO: Well, yeah, the main goal going into this season was to make the playoffs, but I think over the last week, couple weeks actually, I think our focus really has been changing more towards trying to win the division, and from here on in the schedule is not too hectic except for finishing off with back-to-back.

So I think for now we're going to just keep doing what we're doing. Obviously it would be nice to get home-ice advantage for the first round.

LCS: Hey, let me ask you something, does this look infected?

ROBERTO LUONGO: No, I don't really know. I think it's more of a coaches' decision, like I've said all along, and I've told them, also, I'm ready to play every game. If he decides he wants to rest me one night or two nights, that's his decision.

LCS: What's the main difference between you and the late great James Brown?

ROBERTO LUONGO: I feel great. I haven't played in a playoff game in the NHL, but in juniors and the AHL and obviously I've been part of Team Canada, which there have been a lot of high pressure situations. I think for me it's going to be exciting, and we've been playing a lot of playoff-type games down the stretch here, and I feel when those type of games come around, they're fun games to play in, and my game elevates even more I feel.

LCS: So who do you think's gonna win American Idol? My money's on Sinatra.

ROBERTO LUONGO: Well, I think there's a lot of good candidates out there, but I think I might have to go with the same choice as Marty. Sidney's (Crosby) leading the league in scoring right now, and they're not a team that was in the playoffs last year. I mean, I think he's probably one of the best candidates.

LCS: I forget, are you known for never making the playoffs or for being a frail, sickly hack with a drinking problem? Oh wait, that last one is me. So you must be known for never making the playoffs, huh?

ROBERTO LUONGO: Well, I mean, I think all along, I mean, obviously that was something that I've always been looked upon, that I never played in the playoffs. But like I said, it takes 20 guys on a team to make a successful team and make the playoffs. We've been playing great all season as a unit. I mean, obviously I did not do this by myself. I mean, everybody in the locker room has an important role on this team, and we did it together.

I think that's the main thing that really helped us achieve our goal this year where we are, and we want to achieve more now once the playoffs start.

LCS: Is it just me or have you guys really gotten a lot of key goals this season, especially in overtime?

ROBERTO LUONGO: I think we've got some really key goals, especially in overtime. We've won a lot of big games that way, and then we've got a couple guys that are go-to guys in the shootouts that are getting us some big goals. So that's why I think really our overtime and shootout records have been pretty good this year.

LCS: When I was a kid, I hated brussels sprouts. To try and get me over my fear, my mother would make me walk around with them in my pockets. I still do it to this day. I don't know, it just feels nice. Do you ever feel that way?

ROBERTO LUONGO: Yeah, it's a nice feeling to know that you're going to be in the playoffs. Obviously I've been working my whole career to finally get there. It's nice to know that that's in the bank, but as I said before, the focus has really been shifting on trying to win the division, and even though last night was really nice, you really try to stay focused and really go the rest of the way to try to accomplish your goal of winning the season.

LCS: I like soup.

ROBERTO LUONGO: Yeah, well, now that you look back at it, I mean, obviously there was a lot of new faces on the team and there was a new coach and new system, so I think it took a little while for everybody to gel together as a team and play together with the system. Once we came back from the break, I mean, we just picked it up, and I think the more the weeks go by, the better we play as a team and within our system.

LCS: Have you ever been bitten by a monkey?

ROBERTO LUONGO: Yeah, it's great. To be honest with you, I try not to deal with that that much. You know, it's a great honor to be mentioned for that trophy, but at the same time, I know that I've got a job to do, and my teammates are a big part of the reason why I'm being mentioned for that trophy.

You know, we'll see once the season is over what happens, but for right now, I think I'd just like to stay focused on what I'm trying to do for my team.

LCS: You should really come to one of LCS Hockey's staff parties. Cheap gin and all the Ramen noodles you can eat. You in?

ROBERTO LUONGO: Yeah, I heard it gets crazy. I'm really excited to be part of that whole deal and just excited to get things going.

LCS: Excuse me a moment, I think my waffles are burning. But while I'm gone, could you please just say how it feels to be featured in LCS, and then maybe talk about the defense in Vancouver? Thanks. You're the tops.

ROBERTO LUONGO: Well, it's been great. The defense is really, I think, one of the more underrated in the NHL. They're really solid, and I think the guys that were here last year like Sami Salo and Mattias Ohlund, those are great D-men, and then I think we added a big piece of the puzzle with Willie Mitchell who is really great on the penalty kill and is a really defensive-minded guy.

Also we've got guys that have stepped up like Kevin Bieksa, and even Lukas Krajicek has been playing really well. I mean, I can't say enough about them. They've been terrific all year for me, and they really helped me out as far as, you know, taking the guys that are in prime scoring areas and taking care of rebounds.

Telly Savalas

LCS: Okay, I'm back. And the waffles are damn tasty. I like to listen to music when I eat my waffles. One of my favorite records is "Telly" by Telly Savalas. Have you ever heard it?

ROBERTO LUONGO: To be honest, I don't really look at that record with all that seriousness. I think now with shootout wins and stuff like that, it kind of diminishes it a little bit. For me that's not really important as far as how many wins we get, and I think just winning games is what I'm worried about.

And then whatever the total adds up at the end of the year is going to be what it's going to be. You know, that record for me is not really that important, to be honest with you.

LCS: Of all the teams in the NHL, which one gets the best looking groupies?

ROBERTO LUONGO: It's kind of tough to say right now because all the teams are so bunched up, so we could be facing between five or six different teams at this point. I think we might have to wait another week or so to see more or less who we might be facing. Right now it's really hard to tell with the standings so close.

LCS: Have you ever wanted to just put on velvet clothes and play the banjo?

ROBERTO LUONGO: Yeah, I want to get out there and just try to improve myself. Also you've got to listen to your body, and if my body feels like it needs a rest I'll take it.

But right now I think the circumstances, my energy level is really high, and I'm really excited to get out on the ice. I don't feel the need to take any rest or anything like that.

LCS: Thank you very much for your time, Roberto. I think we've all learned a lot. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go make room on the mantle for the Pulitzer.

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