Post-Game Quotes
2/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Feb. 22, 2008
Michigan State Head Coach Rick Comley
His thoughts on the game...
We had a lot of trouble getting going. We got that lead, but I didn't think we played that well until the third - it seemed like we found some energy. Michigan obviously had a lot to do with it, and I thought you could really tell they missed (Chad) Kolarik and having him on the right side. I thought our kids fought, scrapped, and got back in the game. Jeff (Lerg) was solid early, and that was when he had to be. Fortunately, the puck went in.
On his team's play in the third period...
I thought we got better as the game went on, and that was important. I thought we played tight, but I was concerned. I was concerned about the energy and Michigan's speed, but we kept coming in the third and that was very encouraging.
On the team's biggest challenge heading into Saturday's game...
I think it's the same thing it was tonight. Obviously they're going to come at us hard, and they don't want to lose two to us. Miami won tonight, so they've got them nipping at their heels. They're going to want desperately to get back even tomorrow.
On Michigan's play...
It wasn't the best Michigan team without Kolarik, so it was an important game for us to win. You don't take a player like him, who is an All-American and a Hobey finalist, and not miss him dramatically - especially on the power play. It's up to us to take advantage of that.
On the rivalry between the teams...
To me, it was intense and physical without being dirty, and I think that's important. I think college hockey has had more than its share of messes this year, and we certainly don't need that. But these teams were competing and battling right up to the final buzzer. You don't take it too far, and you deal with it.
Michigan Head Coach Red Berenson
Overall impressions...
I thought we played well for two periods and had the edge on scoring chances. They had a few isolated chances that were good chances. There's no question that the third goal was a back-breaker. It was not a good goal for Billy (Sauer) and it was not a good goal for our team. Then they got another one right away. That four-on-four was huge.
On Michigan's missed opportunities in the second period...
I thought we were looking for some momentum and then I thought when Max (Pacioretty) scored we got some momentum, and we started to carry the play. You have to make those chances count though.
On being down two goals after the first period...
It was one of those periods and they did have good chances. Whether it was a good play on their part or a poor play on our part, we have to be able to defend better. One of them was a two-on-two the other was a two-on-two so we have to be able to defend better than that.
On Michigan State...
They defended well and they didn't give up much even though we might have carried the play. They're an opportunistic team, and they get good goaltending and good special teams play.
Michigan State Junior Goaltender Jeff Lerg
On the intensity of the game...
It just felt great playing throughout the night. I think that first goal really set the tone for getting our building into the game. It was kind of like what they did at Miami where they scored four goals in the first period and took their crowd out of the game. It was huge to get those two goals early and make them play from behind.
On seeing a lot of shots...
I didn't think it was too tough a night for me to be honest. Most of their shots were floaters from the blue line and they were looking for tips and screens. I'm sure tomorrow night will be a lot tougher game for me. I'd much rather play in a game like this where they had 27 shots through two periods. For me, it was just a matter of making sure I was controlling the rebounds. We had a couple of goals in the first period where Billy Sauer would've had to make an unbelievable save.
On scoring two goals early in the third period...
It just gives us the confidence to keep on rolling. The tendency when you get a lead like that is to hang back and get comfortable. With a team like Michigan and with that much skill, though, it's never really over. That's something I kept in my mind that if they if got one then they would get their confidence. Then our fifth goal was probably the biggest goal, because after they made it 4-2 we came right back and made it 5-2.
On the Spartans developing a killer instinct...
It's definitely been going the last two weekends. Early in the year, we'd get up 3-0 or 4-0, and then we would lay back. Then before we knew it, we'd be in a close game. That's something you've got to learn because goals are hard to come by. I think when the playoffs come around, I think we've got to take every goal and take it for what it's worth.
Michigan State Senior Forward Bryan Lerg
On tonight's atmosphere...
I thought the building was awesome, and it was the best feeling I have had in a while, when we were up 5-2 with two minutes to go. It was a big win for our team, but the job is only halfway done. We need to now come back tomorrow. We have never swept Michigan (as a class) on a weekend, so I think that is our goal for tomorrow. It was an awesome feeling and an awesome crowd here at home. So, I thank the fans for putting on a great show.
On the two goals in a matter of 18 seconds...
I believe those goals were both 4-on-4. With (Justin) Abdelkader, we talked about just getting on the wings and throwing pucks on net, and there was no danger in that play whatsoever, and he just threw it on net, and somehow it went on net and went in. It was a good shot, so we will take that. I think Jeff Petry was unbelievable tonight. He just threw a puck on net, and (Tim) Kennedy was there in the right spot, and just banged it home.
On winning as a senior...
We talked about that at the beginning of the game, saying how it was our last game for some of us older guys at home. Everyone got it together, and a lot of the guys were saying there in the locker-room, let's do it for the seniors here this third period. Guys stepped-up and it was a big win and it meant a lot.
On carrying the momentum over to Joe Louis Arena...
We want to make sure we answer back to Joe Louis there. We have done all right down there, and I think it's going to be a great crowd down there once again. I think we need to bring the same mentality we had tonight, and no matter how we get it done, we just need to get it done.
On the physicality of the game...
There were a lot of penalties, and a lot of big hits. I think they were trying to send a message back to us, that tomorrow is not going to be like this. We answered well by finishing our hits. They didn't get to us in the end, and I thought we had some pretty big hits on our own part. I think we did a good job staying disciplined, and that is one of those games where it is going to be chippy, especially with those guys. There's always going to be a little stuff going on at the end of the game.
Michigan Senior Forward Kevin Porter
On playing well in periods one and two but not three...
Yeah, I thought we played well in the second. We just weren't getting to the net, and we just weren't scoring any goals. I mean they outworked us most of the game and their chances started to go in at the end there.
On how frustrating it is to be down 0-2 after outshooting MSU 15-3 in the first period...
They had a couple lucky goals there. They had that lucky break, but they didn't end up scoring on it. But I mean it's really frustrating to come in here and to play well and still be down 2-0.
On missing Chad Kolarik from the lineup...
I think a little bit, but I think the main thing was that we weren't ready at the beginning of the game. I mean we had a strong start, but we weren't doing the things that we should have. We weren't getting the puck to the net, and we weren't getting in front of Jeff Lerg. I mean he's always going to make that first stop, so if we don't get in front of him then we are not going to score goals.
Michigan Freshman Forward Max Pacioretty
On not getting back into the game in that second period...
Yeah, I thought we came out pretty well in the second period at the beginning there, but we just couldn't get a couple pucks to bounce past Jeff Lerg. I thought we played well after that first period but got a couple of unlucky breaks in that third period. We had to make a couple of adjustments with Chad Kolarik out and Chris Summers hurt in the first period, but I think we did a decent job of making adjustments.
On his goal in the second period...
Yeah, it was just a great feed from Aaron Palushaj; there's nothing really to it. We've done that play all year, normally it's Chad Kolarik getting me the puck, but it just ended up I was in the slot and Palushaj made a great pass and Travis Turnbull made a great screen as well.
