From The Locker Room
10/17/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Michigan State vs. New Hampshire
Oct. 17, 2004 * East Lansing, Mich.
MSU Head Coach Rick Comley
On Colton Fretter's performance ...
"Colton Fretter came in tonight and did a great job. It was super. He obviously earned another game next Friday. You want people competing with each other - it just makes for a better hockey team.
The difference between today and Friday ...
"As far as what was the difference today vs. Friday, I think are two things: I think it was our second hockey game, not our first, and we went 0-for-11 on the power play against St. Lawrence. There probably was a more mutual respect opponent-to-opponent tonight and we came out on top."
On Dominic Vicari's performance ...
"Dom was very good. He didn't have a lot of saves at times, but he was very, very steady, and I thought he did a real good job."
On the style of the game ...
"It's a different game. In fact, I felt it was officiated like old-time hockey. We're not going to see that. I think there were only a minimal number of power plays, and I think most games we play in there's going to be upwards of 20. I thought that really helped us - in the first period especially; we had a chance to get everybody in the game. Everybody felt a part of it, and we were on the power play. I used a lot of different people, and that's what we're going to have to do."
New Hampshire Head Coach Richard Umile
On being out-shot 50-31...
"They moved it pretty well. In the first period of these two games (tonight and Friday night against Michigan) we really got out-shot and didn't play very well, but in the second periods we came back a little bit. Obviously, they executed on their opportunities and we didn't. They're a good team; I'm just disappointed in the way we played today to be honest, taking nothing away from how well they played."
What he was most disappointed in...
"We weren't ready to go, I don't know what it was. We had no legs; I'm just disappointed. In the defensive zone, I know they had some power plays, but five-on-five in our own end we had a difficult time handling them."
Difference between tonight's performance and Friday's against Michigan...
"We played a lot harder Friday night than we did tonight. I don't know if it was just hanging around yesterday, but we played the way we hung around yesterday. We didn't skate very hard, but again I don't want to take anything away from Rick's team. I thought they played very well and executed very well."
Bryan Lerg, F, Fr.
On his goal...
"They had a penalty and Dominic (Vicari) came to the bench. I hopped on the ice screaming for the puck, and it came to me. I got around the defense and just wound up and hoped it went in. The building was very loud; it was an awesome feeling to get that goal."
On the offensive performance...
"St. Lawrence was a little chippier and they got on us faster. UNH has a different style of play and they gave us some room. The first period was fast paced, and we have a quick team and I think that psyched us up."
On the officiating...
"The referees tonight let things go a little more than on Friday night and I think that helped us establish some momentum. Unfortunately, I think for the rest of the season it will be more like Friday's game.
Chris Snavely, D, So.
On the win...
"This win was huge. We have high hopes for this team this season. We didn't bring our best game on Friday, but we did today. I think with a young team like this we needed a win against a program like New Hampshire to give us some confidence."
On the power play...
"We had a great night, going 0-11 on the power play last night was disappointing, but it was good to see us put a couple in the net tonight. I think our forwards played very well. We were just outworking their defensemen in the corners all night. I thought that was the key to the game."
On the young team...
"We have three freshmen and three sophomores on defense tonight. We are young but we played well together. I think the freshmen have caught up to the speed of college hockey. Coach Renfrew talked to us before the game, and we were just excited to go out there and do what we needed to do."
Jim MacKenzie, F, Fr.
On his first career goal...
"On a face off that Skinner took, I watched the puck slide back and sit there. There defensemen were sitting back. They got the puck and I think there was an icing, but there was another quick face off in the same place and I just anticipated the puck doing the same thing. I hopped in there right away and threw it on net, and it went in."
On the offensive performance...
"I think before the first game us young guys were wondering if we could make an immediate impact as we expected. I think we went out and played a little timid. Tonight, it seemed like we were all on the same page working together. It felt good out there tonight."
On the game overall...
"I think it was good that we saw tape of them playing Michigan the other night. That helped us get ready and the coaching staff prepared us very well. It's nice to get your first win like that under your belt against a team like New Hampshire.
Dominic Vicari, G, So.
On his play ...
"I played pretty good. I felt sharper tonight. I was seeing the puck a lot better. Things were bouncing my way a little bit and a little bit of luck always helps."
On having the extra day to prepare ...
"I think it helped us. Getting that extra day off is like a double-edge sword. New guys can get some rest, or they could go out and goof around at night. But I think everyone showed tonight that it was well worth it to have our day off.
On the fast start of the game...
"It was huge to have a fast start. With the way the league is and if you can't get too many penalties early, you need to get out and let everyone play and get a great start.
On staying focused ...
"It is one of those games that you always have to stay focused. One minute you get four or five shots in a row and the next 10 minutes you could get nothing, so you just got to stay sharp."
Colton Fretter, F, So.
Tell us about your first game ...
"It felt good. I wasn't in the line up on Friday and I just wanted to come back and show what I can do. It feels really good."
Tell us about your two goals...
"The first goal Drew Miller broke out and got a good chip off the puck. I had a lot of speed and tried to block on the attack and got it in. For the second goal, I had a beautiful cross from Mike Lalonde and had Chris Snavley as defense on my back, so I just dumped it in the net."
You watched the game from up top the other night, what do you feel was the difference offensively?
"It's hard to say; it's a lot different to tell when you are watching and when you are playing. My line got in there and we were cycling really well. I felt like the whole time we played; we were in New Hampshire's end compared to Friday when there was a lot in our end and we had trouble getting it out. We had a lot of shots. I can't speak for the other lines, but I was really happy with my line today."
