From The Press Box
3/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Michigan State vs. Miami
East Lansing, Mich. * March 12, 2005
Post-Game Quotes
MSU Head Coach Rick Comley
Opening statement...
"Obviously, it feels good. These kids had to fight hard; I think they're creating their own identity, and they're fighting through some things. I think they're a very collected group that feels proud of what they've accomplished.
"I think it's been a steady process. We've had a lot of issues like a lot of teams do. Bryan Lerg got a big goal to get us going, and Dominic Vicari made a save in overtime that's as big of a save, and as critical of a save, you're ever going to get. And then the guys you rely on; Slater got a big goal, Fretter gets two major goals, so a lot of guys chipped in.
"I thought the pair of (Ethan) Graham and (Corey) Potter was just immense. They play so much, and now there's a chance we get (David) Booth back and that's what we have to hope for. We're proud to be at home, we're proud to finish on a high note, and we're excited to go down to Detroit."
What was the feeling on the bench when MSU was down 4-2 in the third period?
"I just tried to be positive with them. It had to look like we were going to a game three, and we never quit playing; we haven't quit playing all year. As tough as it's been, we've fought and scrapped, and got big goals tonight at big times."
With a five-game winning streak, is this group finding what it was missing earlier in the year?
"Well the one thing I've seen since I've been down here is that the jerseys had great success; and the bodies that fill the jerseys have to create their own identity and their own success. This was a year where we had to be patient until some more players grew up and matured and get to the point where they contributed. And now this time of year you need a lot of people to contribute. There were a lot of good things that came out of this weekend."
Miami Head Coach Enrico Blasi
Overall comments...
"I thought it was a good, entertaining game and they came back a few times and they deserved to win."
On both teams' goaltending...
"I thought (Dominic) Vicari made the save of the night on the power play and that gave them a chance to win in overtime. In overtime, all it takes is one shot. That's the way our league is -- you have to be ready on the special teams."
MSU Player Quotes
Mike Lalonde, Sr., F
On his feelings about the come-from-behind win, his last game at Munn...
"You can't really describe it. We did a great job coming back. The first couple periods we didn't do what we really needed to do but we really turned it on. A lot of guys showed up for us tonight after the first half of the game. A lot of guys stepped up and really did the job. Dom (Vicari) gave us some unbelievable saves when we really needed him, that just gave us a chance and it came from there. I just can't say enough about (Colton) Fretter and his big goals."
On if the Spartans can take this win as a sign of good things to come...
"I think this is a sign. Statistics say that we really don't play well after coming in without a lead, but we have done that two times straight. I think that's important for a team's growth and a team's success. If you can do that, no matter who you are playing, if you can rally up; it's a big step for the program. A lot of guys are doing really well."
On the feelings in the lockerroom when the team was down by a couple goals...
"There was a feeling in there that we were going to get it done, when we were down by a goal coming into the third. You just feel that presence sometimes. You can't say that you feel it all the time, maybe a couple of times this year. But I think that the feelings were there, everyone was on the same page and had the same feelings going."
Ethan Graham, So., D
On how the team battled from behind to take the win and the series...
"We just kept battling. This has been the story all year; we just keep battling back through every game. I think that we felt confident on the bench. Obviously, you get down a little bit, when they score a goal and you go down by two, but I think the guys stayed confident and that is how we came back."
On teammate Tommy Goebel's goal...
"He gets that one and it trickled right across the line. Goebel is a scrapper; he is a little scrapper. He got in there and he got the puck by (Brandon) Crawford-West and you just have to give all of the credit to him and his linemates for battling.
Colton Fretter, Jr., F
On his game-winning goal...
"I don't even know how the puck came out in the slot. It was just right there. We came in and we knew that (Brandon) Crawford-West played the first shot. So I kind of faked a shot and brought it over to my backhand and the net was wide open. I had so much time. I don't remember it."
On how the team is feeling...
"It feels really good right now. Our team is really working hard. The big thing is that we are coming back from when we are down and that is not what we were doing earlier in the year. That is what a good team needs to do and we are all coming together. Hopefully, this will all come down with us to the Joe."
On how huge this victory was for the team...
"I think that was one of the biggest games that we have played all year. Being down two goals with seven minutes left in the game, that's just huge for our team to come back from that. It shows the kind of character that we have, that is what we need to be a championship team."
Jim Slater, Sr., F
His feelings about winning this series...
"It feels good. I don't even know what to feel right now. It just feels good having gotten home ice and now getting the sweep here at home for our fans. This was a great two games for us. Joe Louis Arena is always tough but I think that we have kind of found ourselves here. It was a great win but we still have some games ahead of us. That is our focus right now."
Remembering his years at MSU...
"There has been some great games in my years here. I remember my first game here at Munn Ice Arena, beating Bowling Green in overtime. It is an awesome feeling."
On how the Spartans have overcome adversity throughout the season...
"Well you learn throughout the game. You take lessons out of mistakes and frustration; we have been doing that all year. Stupid little things that have gone against us, they are now coming to us. You turn and negative into a positive. The guys say that we have seven games left; that is as many as we can play. It should be a lot of fun to start out at Joe Louis."
