From The Press Box
2/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Michigan State vs. Bowling Green
Feb. 26, 2005 * East Lansing, Mich.
Post-Game Quotes
MSU Head Coach Rick Comley
On Jim McKenzie...
"He has been great. He is a great player that struggled with the adjustment his first semester as a freshman, but he has always been big and strong. He scraps around the net and the puck goes in for him."
On the breaks the team got tonight...
"We got some breaks tonight, but so did they. Last night, I think we played as well as possible without winning the game. Tonight, some pucks bounced our way and went in the net."
On the importance of getting a win tonight...
"As games diminish they become more and more important. The third period was the most important period of the year for sure. We had to win the game in the third period, plus get some help around the league, and now we are still within striking distance of playing at home (for the first round of the CCHA playoffs)."
On MSU's game plan...
"We wanted to establish a strong forecheck early in third, because we certainly didn't want to give them anything in the sixth period of the weekend. Plus, we were trying to click on the penalty kill all night because they had three power-play goals. Playing a solid third period was crucial."
On the play of the goalies...
"(Jordan) Sigalet is really good. He made some saves five-on-three that were just unreal. But, I think Dominic (Vicari) matched him big save for big save. He made a huge backdoor save in the third that preserved the one-goal lead for us. But, you still have to give Sigalet all the credit in the world for what he is accomplishing."
BGSU Head Coach Scott Paluch
On the game overall ...
"It was another game with the same type of intensity as last night, that playoff-type feeling. You have two teams really battling for a lot. We just took too many penalties to be successful on the road."
On the play of the special teams units ...
"I thought that the players on the power-play tonight really made some great plays. There were some really good passes, just a lot of really good plays. I thought the skilled players did a great job on both teams."
On the five-on-five play ...
"I thought we played a very good road game in the sense that I liked their pressure when they were able to put it on. I liked a lot of the scoring chances we created, and the special teams' game was fabulous.'
On the weekend overall ...
"I'm really pleased with our team this weekend. I thought we had a really good focus going into the weekend - what we needed to do and how we needed to play, and I thought for the majority of the weekend we competed extremely hard and we played well. To get the home ice last night was a big goal of ours, and now we want to move forward and continue on."
Spartan Players
Colton Fretter, Jr., F
On State's play ...
"We worked hard down low and had get shots on goal. We moved the puck well (on the power play) and made teams adapt to us."
On the outcome of the game ...
"Winning this game, there is a sense of relief. We need to focus on the upcoming weekend (vs. Notre Dame).
"It was nice to finally get a win when we did not score the first goal. We played well five-on-five. Drew's even-strength goal won the game for us."
Jim Slater, Sr., F
On the third period ...
"We did not want to give them anything. We just kept working hard. The big goal was the fourth goal by Millsy (Drew Miller)."
On the new "ER" line ...
"It felt good. I thought we worked hard. I like to throw the puck, while both (Colton) Fretter and Millsy (Drew Miller) like to cycle the puck. There are two good players."
On what the team needs to do ...
"It is still in reach for home ice (for the playoffs). Some things happened around the league tonight to help us. We can't take Notre Dame lightly. We have to come back with the same intensity as UM and OSU."
Drew Miller, So., F
On the game ...
"It was huge for us, especially with this year; it was a huge win for us. We need to take this into next weekend with the positive notes and build on it."
On MSU's season ...
"It's been hard for the team. We have to be mentally strong. I was frustrated with myself last night. I spoke to my brother (Ryan) on the phone to settle myself down and get focused for tonight. I really appreciated his advice. I have to give credit to him.
"We knew going into it (tonight's game), the whole situation. We played with a lot of energy and heart. As bad as our season, it's still our goal to get home ice for the playoffs."
