From The Press Box
3/11/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Michigan State vs. Miami
East Lansing, Mich. * March 11, 2005
Post-Game Quotes
MSU Head Coach Rick Comley
Opening statement...
"You never feel good when you're behind, and (Miami goaltender Brandon) Crawford-West was obviously playing outstanding. I thought both goaltenders made an awful lot of good saves, and obviously, it was a game decided by power plays. It was a very tight game, with good pace and good action. We had lots of really good scoring chances but we just couldn't get it by them; and Dominic (Vicari) had to match their good shots and our tips. He probably would have liked that first goal back, but he was outstanding after that."
On the team's three straight one-goal wins...
"We've had a lot of close games this year...it's great (to finally win some). It's a product of guys working hard; Jimmy Slater was unbelievable on face-offs, I think he was 25-2, and that played a major role in the game."
On Hontvet scoring twice, while others missed good scoring opportunities...
"Well, the power play has been really good for us, but it wasn't the power play that's been good - it was a different group that got the goals. But in the playoffs you need different people to pick you up."
On the play of junior Chad Hontvet...
"He's always there; he always works hard. He's kind of a playoff-type player - he's not going to score an awful lot, and then he gets two. But he works hard, he's reliable, he's a smart player; he's just earned the right to play right now."
Miami Head Coach Enrico Blasi
On the overall game...
"Obviously, we lost the game. I think they scored two power-play goals in the second period and that was the difference."
On the play of the goaltenders...
"Both goaltenders played extremely well. I knew going in that both goaltenders would play well. They're top-notch goalies and you have to make the most of your chances. State just scored one more goal than we did."
On changes to make for tomorrow night's game...
"Our backs will be up against the wall; we're going to have to play well. I don't see us changing anything. We've just got to execute a little bit better when we have opportunities."
MSU Player Quotes
Jim Slater, Sr., F
On some positives to take away from the Spartans' 2-1 victory over Miami...
"I don't think that we gave them a lot of five-on-five chances, a lot of their offense came from the power play and penalties. I don't know what the shots were but I know that we didn't give them too much. There weren't too many mistakes in our own zone. For the most part, we got the puck in deep and tried to work it down-low."
On some changes the team made during intermission...
"We switched it up a little bit after the first, with the systems. The guys came through and did a good job with it."
On the play of first star of the game, Chad Hontvet...
"It was a huge game for Chad. It was a huge game for all of us. To have those guys step up and create some offense and do their job on defense, that's how you win hockey in the playoffs. Those guys have to step up and do the dirty work. I have said it all year, we have a lot of depth and we have to start showing it if you want to win any games. Chad did a great job."
On the thought process of the playoffs...
"You aren't really looking for points at this point of the season, you're looking for wins. That's all that really matters. It doesn't matter who gets it done, as long as it gets done. I'm happy and I'm sure that every guy in that room feels the same way. It's a good win for all of us."
Dominic Vicari, So., G
On how the pace of the game is what the Spartans expect to see in games to come...
"I think that this is what we are going to see for the next seven games or how ever many that we go here. It's going to come down real tight and come right down to the end."
On how a tight game can be beneficial for a goalie, keeping them alert and ready to play...
"When you have a three or four goal lead you can kind of catch yourself snoozing a little bit and not really being as sharp as you should. But when the game is on the line and the playoffs start and it's a close game like that you have to take every shot individually and just stay focused."
On Miami's lone goal of the evening...
"They made a good play behind the net and I didn't lay my pad completely down on the ice, so the puck slid under. Those are the goals that you want to have back. So you kind of kick yourself in the butt a little bit and try to move on from there."
Chad Hontvet, Jr., F
On his career night...
"It's been awhile since I have scored, so there is no better time to start scoring again than in the playoffs. Anything that you can do to help your team, so it was a great night for me and our team."
His thoughts on scoring his first collegiate goal...
"I didn't really even know that I had it to tell the truth. I wasn't sure until I saw the replay and everyone told me. I think that it must have hit my stick or someone. I don't know really, but I'll take it though."
On how the second goal really mattered...
"That was a great one. It kind of made sure that I had one, because I didn't know about that first one."
