Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State Hockey Postgame Quotes
3/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
March 15, 2008
Michigan State Head Coach Rick Comley
Thoughts on the game...
I thought definitely that he (Northern Michigan goalie Brian Stewart) was much, much better and made a lot of very good saves, for sure. Just before they got the second one, we had multiple chances, but he made a lot of really, really good saves, so give him credit. I thought they were better tonight than they were last night. I didn't think that our top guys were as good tonight as they were last night and I thought Stewart obviously was the most improved player from one game to the other.
On how his team played coming off the win in game one...
I didn't think we were sharp all night. I thought we had spurts. I thought they killed penalties better, but we weren't as sharp. They deserve credit for reacting in a positive way, and we have to be better tomorrow.
On the physical play of Northern Michigan...
That kind of woke us up and got us going a bit. I thought we started a little flat, but their year is over if they lose the hockey game, so they're going to play with a little desperation. Hopefully, we'll react the same way tomorrow.
On the team's focus for improvement heading into game three...
I think we just need to play better. We held them to two, and you should win if you hold a team to two. We just need our top guys to have a better, sharper game. But they have better be ready for a tight, tough game because I think they'll tighten even more. You just have to keep putting pucks on; we did get 40 shots, and you can't get many more than that, so we just have to keep pounding the net, and get the puck through him.
On playing from behind...
When they get that lead, they can really shut it down. Last night, they got the lead, but then we got it back so fast, it wasn't really like a lead. When we took the lead, that's a little bit different game.
Michigan State Forward Justin Abdelkader
On the overall sharpness of the team tonight...
We weren't sharp right from the get-go and emotionally I don't think we had the same emotions as last night. I think we came in and thought that it would be easy and obviously it wasn't.
On how the emotions changed...
I don't know, maybe guys thought that after we won 5-1 last night that it would be easy but it's playoff hockey, and every game is going to be tough. Every game is going to be a grind.
On the puck not bouncing like it did last night...
Yeah maybe a little bit, we had a lot of chances, a lot of shots, but we just got to get more quality chances on net. I think we hit the post there at the end but you can't blame "puck luck." You got to work for your chances and make them count.
On Northern Michigan's physical play...
I thought they pretty much were the same team they were the first night. We just came out and the first game we cycled the puck really well and didn't turn the puck over and tonight it was little different. We turned the puck over. We didn't get in their zone. We didn't make their defense work. They really only play four defensemen, so we got to get the puck back in the zone and get back to cycling the puck and not have as many turnovers.
Northern Michigan Head Coach Walt Kyle
On how his team came out to play after losing last night's game...
We didn't play well last night. I think they played very well last night and kind of took it to us. We played better tonight and got a couple of breaks. We lived to fight one more day.
On his team's penalty kill...
They have a heckuva power play; their power play is unbelievable. We were fortunate we killed some off.
On the difference between his team's play last night and tonight...
I don't know if we were nervous last night. They controlled us early. I think that we weren't as nervous tonight. We're young and young guys get jitters. They're playing here in this environment against the defending national champions. I thought our leaders were able to calm them down and we played better tonight.
On Northern Michigan's first goal by Mark Olver...
I was a bit shocked it went in. (Jeff) Lerg's a great goaltender, so any time pucks go in on him, you're surprised.
On his team killing off Michigan State's five-on-three advantage in the third period...
I thought they did a great job. To me, that was a big moment. Our guys were tired, and our guy that we usually use in five-on-threes was in the box. I thought we did a great job, and Brian Stewart was very good out there tonight, too.
On his team's play at the end of the game after Michigan State pulled the goalie...
You have to be smart when the goaltender is out. We had some veteran guys out there that did a great job.
