By DON BODOW
“It was a great trade for me. Just super. I was really happy to hear that the Tomahawks had traded me to Syracuse,” said goaltender Rick Palla. It might sound strange to some that Palla was pleased with his trade to a team that started out the season 0-8, but Palla felt he could really contribute to his new team. “I knew what the situation was in Syracuse when I was traded, and I knew that I could really help. When I’ got to Syracuse everybody went out of their way to make me feel at home, and when I finally stopped my first shot as a Stinger goalie, I knew what it was like to belong. “
Palla, a 24-year-old from Toronto, played in the Ontario Lacrosse Association Senior A League for the Toronto Shooting Stars, and has developed a goaltending style all his own. “I couldn’t play my game when I was with the Tomahawks, and that got to me. I’d be in a game thinking about how to play the way they (Toronto) wanted me to, and not the way I could do it best. My head just wasn’t together during the games, and even the practice sessions wore me down mentally. That’s why I was looking forward to coming to Syracuse. I knew they wanted me to play the nets for them to the best of my ability. “
Palla, 6 feet, 185 pounds, is a believer in the new running approach by goalies in box lacrosse. Quite a few NLL’ goalies use this style of play and Palla appears to be one of the best at doing it. “Running is a vital part of offence in this league, and a goalie must add to his team’s speed with quick- release throws and sharp floor-length passes. ” Stinger coach Medo Martinello has counted on Palla for a few assists every game, a big plus for any team. Palla’s team play has impressed everyone. His offensive checking on loose-gall plays has really excited Stinger fans, and has often been the turning point in a game. “I’ve always believed that a goalie should be able to go both ways in this game, and that is especially important in man-short situations. Playing out of the crease, offensively, when we’re short-handed is an exciting part of the game for me. I’ve got to play up and still be able to get back and cover my net. “
During the season’s first eight weeks, Syracuse had three players among the league’s top 10 point scorers: Gaylord Powless, Pat Differ and Paul Cioci. Knowing that the scoring punch is always there means a lot to Palla. “The scoring offence that we have going for us means a lot. If I can hold our opponents to a reasonable number of goals, we’ll win. We always manage to get our share of shots on the opposing net, and lately a good percentage of them have been going in. If I can play my game and the other guys do their thing, we’re in good shape. “
The Onondaga County War Memorial, Stingers’ home, is a perfect arena for box lacrosse. “Playing at home really means something to me. Our crowds have been the most turned-on of any I’ve seen this season. They get excited and they’ve got the voices to go with it. “What’s especially great for us is that they now know the game. They’re super fans and when I’m in goal, having them behind me means an awful lot. ” Palla’s arrival in Syracuse nearly coincided with the arrival of coach Martinello. “Martinello’s a good coach. He gets along well with the players and really knows the game. He’s given some fine direction to the guys and helped me to. “He conducts good strong practices, the kind that make you feel you’ve accomplished something when they’re over. ” Palla ended his Junior A lacrosse career with the Lakeshore Maple Leafs, winners of the 1971 Minto Cup, emblematic of junior lacrosse supremacy in Canada.
Now Palla and his Stinger teammates have the National Lacrosse League playoffs set in their sights.