From The Press Box
1/28/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Michigan State vs. U.S. National Under-18 Team
Jan. 28, 2005 * East Lansing, Mich.
Post-Game Quotes
MSU head coach Rick Comley
On the physical nature of the game...
"It was physical. We lost (Corey) Potter early in the hockey game but then again, they're everything they're billed to be. They're very dangerous and they've got a couple of guys who, when they have a couple chances, can score, as we saw tonight."
On how the bounces just aren't going the Spartans' way...
"We had a couple open nets early in the game. (David) Booth had a couple unbelievable chances that he just didn't put away, and it's been that way the whole year. We just don't have offensive skill. I think we work hard, we generate chances, but you don't teach scoring. You have to recruit enough skill, like a (Colton) Fretter who walks off the wing and puts it under the crossbar. There's a misconception out there that all of a sudden we're going to wake up someday and find it; we're not. We'll win our share of games because we work hard enough to win them. We're not going to win them on pure talent."
What does this loss do for the team's mentality going into next weekend's series vs. Michigan...
"Nothing, I don't think. It's a tough game to play and it's a horrible time to have to play it. It's an exhibition game that doesn't count. Nothing counts from it and for them, it's a tremendous, exciting win for their young kids. If you're going to play them, you should play them early in the year because they're too talented."
U.S. National head coach Ron Rolston
On the overall game ...
"We did enough, obviously, to win. We had great goaltending - Jeff Frazee was the difference in the hockey game for us. He's got the potential; he's good. He kept us in the game to give us the chance, and we're pretty opportunistic; when we get scoring chances, we've got a lot of guys that can finish. That's a big difference on a hockey team."
On the play of the Spartans ...
"I thought Michigan State had a great team, they took it to us a lot, but they need extra chances to finish goals off. I think that will come. I like their team. At times, Michigan State had us pinned in deep, and that's older experience, and we've got to get that in a lot of areas. I thought State played real hard tonight for us, and it just helps us be a better team."
On the play of Phil Kessel ...
"He's very underrated at making plays. He comes up that rush and puts it right where the guy needs it to score. He can make plays, and he's a difference maker for us."
