Michigan State 2, Ferris State 2 (OT)
11/7/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 7, 2006
Michigan State Head Coach Rick Comley Opening Statement... It was a tough game. Sometimes there are good ties and sometimes there are bad ties. I wouldn't say this was a bad tie, but you knew coming in that energy could be a major problem - and it was. I thought the kids worked their tails off in the second period to build a lead, and then we took some penalties.
The most encouraging part of the game was that we saw Jeff Lerg's return to form. He did a heck of a job when we really needed him. They were rested and fresh, and we were playing a Tuesday game after a tough Michigan series - that is a recipe for disaster. I'll take the point, but we are still struggling on defense, even though we just gave up two goals, which is encouraging. We really need McKenzie back out there to get some production out of Mueller and Bryan Lerg. So, we will take the point, and do our best to rest up for Friday.
On being ranked high, but being inexperienced... I think it is natural just because the team is picked high without even earning the right to be picked that high. We are a young and inexperienced team, but you can't take four avoidable penalties that give them life.
On the third-period penalties... One of the penalties was a sloppy, lazy hook, and another one was Turek being too aggressive on the rush and making contact with the goalie. The other two were a too many men on the ice penalty and Ratchuk's interference call, so only one was in the offensive zone and a result of sloppiness.
On fatigue in the third period and overtime... Fatigue played a huge factor, and it is why I called a timeout with two minutes to go in regulation. We are thin right now. What you worry about is when you lose the lead, then they have all the momentum and all the energy. We were too tired to play that game tonight.
Ferris State Head Coach Bob Daniels On the momentum swings in the game... I thought we carried play in the first period dramatically. That was to be expected; we've had 10 days to prepare, they had one. I thought they did a great job in the second and really carried the play. Realistically I thought the third period was pretty even and we just cashed in on our opportunities.
On both teams getting power play opportunities late in the third period... I'd imagine Rick Comley would feel the same way as me. I thought with some of our penalties we really shot ourselves in the foot. A lot of the times when you take a penalty that isn't of a great nature the puck ends up in the back of your net. I don't know about Rick but I know I'm concerned about some of the penalties we took in the third.
On Ferris State's defensive play... I thought the guys did play great defensively but we did make some errors. Michigan State had some really good chances and I thought Mitch O'Keefe made some great saves in net. Conversely, I thought Jeff Lerg played well for them.
Michigan State Sophomore Goaltender Jeff Lerg On his performance against Ferris State... I think it was my best, complete game of the year. There have been times this year where I've played a good period or a good part of the game but I haven't been able to put a full game together. That was the most comfortable I've felt all year.
On battling through the first period... They came out real hard. They had a week-and-a-half off so we knew that they were going to come out hard. It was just one of things where once you get a few shots coming at you, you start to get more comfortable out there.
On Ferris State's style of play... They're a team that likes to throw the puck at the net from everywhere. They really like to do that in their own building so we'll have to be ready for that Friday. They look for guys in front the net so they can get deflections and rebounds. I knew their style of play from last year so I was ready for that. They play a defensive game and try to take advantage of the other team's mistakes.
Michigan State Sophomore Forward Tim Crowder On all of the special teams situations late in the game... It was tough especially for those four forwards - Mueller, Lerg, Kennedy and Abdelkader. It was key that we took that timeout so they could get going and get their legs back.
On the importance of Friday night's game at Ferris State... Coming off of a loss to Michigan and tie against Ferris State we really need to get back into the rhythm of things, work hard, and hopefully get a wind.
