From The Locker Room
2/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Michigan State vs. Ohio State
Feb. 19, 2005 * East Lansing, Mich.
Post-Game Quotes
MSU Head Coach Rick Comley
Opening Statement...
"Obviously, they're a good team; they're really good. This weekend cost them first place, so I wouldn't think they're leaving here real happy at all. And you know, I always think you have to be careful and look at the whole picture. We were missing some key players tonight and some were playing hurt, and they're too good. I thought they started well, and we hung around and hung around, and penalties obviously played a major role. But we got two big points, we're still in position for home ice, and as disgusted as everyone is right now, it's the nature of the beast. I'm more concerned about the next four than I am about this last one right now."
On how Friday night's game affected Ohio State...
"I think we gave every ounce of energy we had, and it was a big win for us coming off two tough losses; it's really tough to play the weekend after that trip (to Alaska-Fairbanks). I think the kids deserve tremendous credit for that. And the players were fine; it's not that they weren't ready to play. I think there was a lot of uncertainty today wondering who was going to play. When you take two warriors out of the lineup, like Booth and Potter, you're not going to be as good of a team. So there were mistakes made out there by players who had to play a lot more than they normally do."
On the shot differential...
"They were good; there was a big talent difference tonight. I thought they were on their game; it was their last desperate chance to finish first. They know one more loss and it's over for them. They're very good, they've had a great year and they were real solid tonight and we were not as good tonight but we did not have the same quality lineup that we had last night either."
On the difference in the energy level...
"We were confident last night; tonight, we were very uncertain. And there was so much pressure on Jimmy (Slater) again. He's the guy everyone is looking to and I had to play him just a ton, and he's never quite as good the second night just because I have to play him so much. They are so good at face-offs and he has to be out there on every offensive one."
Ohio State Head Coach John Markell
On his teams' response to last night's loss...
"I'm pleased with the way we responded. Obviously, that loss hurt last night. I respect the fact that the guys came back tonight and weren't just standing there rolling their eyes. That's what you have to do to win."
On the changes OSU made for tonight's game...
"We executed our positions better. You have to be able to work your forecheck; you have to make the right read. We got some special-team goals and it makes a difference."
One last thought on last night...
"They were at a pretty high emotional level last night, you have to give Michigan State credit. We matched that and then some tonight."
On what the win does for OSU...
"It makes next week a little bit easier and it keeps us within three (of Michigan). It keeps us within distance. You want to go into a weekend having a chance to still win."
MSU Players
Tyler Howells, So., F
On tonight's game...
"Anytime that it isn't five-on-five for most of the game, you have guys sitting on the bench for a long time because they aren't playing special teams and it is hard to create a rhythm. Then, you have the guys that are playing all the time getting tired and pucks start going in."
On the difference between last night and tonight ...
"A lot of guys got sick from the trip (to Alaska), but that isn't an excuse. We should have worked it out through practice this week. I though we came out strong and played real well last night, but it seemed like we took the night off tonight."
On OSU's play tonight ...
"They were definitely ready to go. Right now, they are fighting for their lives with Michigan at the top of the conference, but we still have to come out and play hard every night."
Drew Miller, So, F
On the team's performance ...
"The positive is that we got two points out of a possible four, and down the stretch we have get wins so we'll take the positive, but we aren't happy or satisfied with our performance tonight at all. We have to come out next weekend and win both games.
"We took a lot of penalties tonight, and they have a really good power play. I think quite a few of their shots came with the man advantage and that led to such a big difference in shots on goal."
On the difference between last night and tonight ...
"I don't think we came out with nearly as much energy as we came out with last night. We were missing some key guys and had some that were bumped up and played through their injuries. But, we still have to come out and play with the same intensity every night."
On the physical play ...
"It is tough on the body to play the type of game Ohio State wants to play, but the style I like is a rough, tough style. It is a style of play that works well for them, and they took it to us tonight. It was a fun, but rough weekend."
Jim Slater, Sr., F
On the play of the team ...
"We can't blame the referees or the penalties for tonight. We tried to stage a comeback in the third period, but it felt like we were in the penalty box for the whole period.
"Their defense played really well, I give them credit, but we were zero for three on the power play with no shots.
"I think we can play with them, we just have to stay out of the junk that they want to get us into. They have the best special teams in the league right now, and we can't afford to take bad penalties like we did tonight."
On the psyche of the team ...
"Our pride is about the only thing that is hurting right now. When you beat a team like we did last night; then come back tonight and get beat by four, it hurts. But at the same time, they are a real good team."
