Postgame Quotes vs. Michigan State
Jan. 7, 2017
Kohl Center - Madison, Wis.
"I thought we were good. I thought after the (26)-day break we were all nervous as coaches because you never know. I thought we had a lot of momentum in the first half of the season and it felt like we were kind of getting into our game during the Michigan series and they were playing pretty well. So when you have that big of a layoff you're always worried and concerned how are you going to come out of it. We had the energy. I thought we were a little sloppy at times and a little bit rusty trying to get into the game, but fortunately we were able to get a couple goals. The first goal was real big. That's something that we had talked a lot about -- finding ways to be more aggressive about getting to the net front and making conversions on rebounds and that's exactly what happened. Jason (Ford) got us going big. Great job by (
Will Johnson) going to the net. Good little play on the entry when (
Cullen Hurley) followed up the play and threw it on the cage and got us a big play to get us going."
On when the rust started to wear off:
"I think the second period. I thought the whole first period we were a little bit rusty. That team played hard. They came at us hard in the fore check. They were real aggressive at jumping in a lot of situations. I thought we were pretty good after that. (Jack) Berry was real good in our net. It could've been a lot closer than the final score. Berry made some big saves for us. There were a lot of pipes at both ends. I think it was 4-3 on pipes which is a lot of good scoring chances going off the posts. I think without Luke (Kunin) we changed the lines a little bit. We created some offense, as always we made some nice plays in the offensive zone that were big plays to get us some nice goals."
On Seamus Malone's assists and his line as a whole:
"I think that line has been good for us. I think Max (Zimmer) is going to continue to gain confidence playing with those guys. I thought his jump in practice this week, he just looks like he's a confident player now. Sometimes a long break like that for a freshman you get a little time to reflect andlook back on the first half of the season. He had a ton of great chances for us and not a lot went in for him. I think he's one of those guys who has the skill level, especially playing with those two, to be a guy who could get hot and really elevate his game as far as the production side goes."
"Johnny's a good goal scorer. He's a right-handed shot that's effective for us on the power play on that side, especially without Luke tonight he got a little more ice time on that in addition. I think he's got a real good shot. I think he could be a guy that could be a guy that produces for us in the second half. He went to the net hard on the first goal when he was there for Ford's rebound, and on his goal, and he had another chance in the second period on a power play. He made a great play on the entry and went to the net, wide open net that just rolled off his stick. He had a lot of offensive chances and we'll expect a lot of him in the second half."
"That's a good line. Freddy's a player that we missed for those three weeks that he had his injury. He came back against Michigan with not a lot of practice time and jumped right in the lineup. I thought Friday night of that game he was a key in our victory at Michigan. I think he's a dominant player and he'll continue to get better. He plays with confidence and he makes everyone else around him better and he'll be a big part of us the second half of the year that's for sure."
On how long it took Luke (Kunin) to realize he needed to sit out:
"Pretty quick. I was a little bit surprised. We were predicting that Luke would think that he was playing tonight after playing back-to-back. In discussing it with the coaches, we were pretty confident in our decision of saying Luke you're not playing. We thought we were going to get a pretty good argument back and fortunately he got into Madison mid-afternoon. I got a hold of him right after he got in and said Luke look you're out tonight. Get some sleep, come over to the game, say hi to the guys and then get ready for Saturday and he said okay coach. So I didn't get any sort of pushback, which was smart. He was celebrating last night, which he should've, and I think he's a lot smarter than I would've been because I probably would've fought to play tonight had I been in that situation."
"Banged up pretty good. He won't be in tomorrow. The good thing with the bye weekend next weekend, there's hope that he could potentially be back. We'll know more, but he's going to be sore tonight. He'll see doc again tomorrow and get a better idea at what the timeline will be."
Defenseman Jake Linhart
On how they were able to keep Michigan State on the outside:
"I think we just tightened up our gaps a little bit. Put more stick on puck and when you go stick on puck it kind of just forces them to the outside. We tried to do that and it worked."
On how his goal transpired:
"I saw we had a little bit of an odd man rush and I jumped in the play and (
Trent Frederic) threw it to the net and luckily it popped out to me. It was kind of a
flukey goal, but I'll take it."
On if him going for the puck could've been dangerous if MSU secured the puck:
"I think I was far enough back to where if it didn't pop there I would've got back right away. But the fact that it was laying there I went for it. It turned out good."
On Jack Berry not putting out rebounds:
"Obviously it makes it a lot easier. You're always kind of looking to pick up sticks no matter what, but sometimes they shoot it and you can't see what's behind you and when it doesn't pop back out that's always good."
Forward Seamus Malone
On if there was any rust being the first game back from the break:
"I think we had a lot of energy, but I think there was a little rust in the first period. Guys were making some plays that probably weren't the best, some turnovers. Personally I had a lot of turnovers. As the game progressed we got a lot better. It's just one of those things where you haven't played in a month. The rust had started to build up. After you play, get a couple shifts in you, it just gets easier."
On his patience waiting for an open lane late on the 5-on-3:
"When it is a 5-on-3, it's not the end of the world if the eight seconds go up. You need to look for that right opportunity. Will (Johnson) got open and I saw him so I just gave him the puck right away. He did a good job so it made it pretty easy on my part."
On playing smart and consistent:
"I think we showed a lot of good things tonight. We weren't completely happy with this performance, but for our first game back, I think we eased our way into it and we got things done."
Forward Trent Frederic
On winning 50/50 pucks:
"I guess we were just working hard and the puck was bouncing our way tonight."
On the chemistry between himself, Ryan Wagner and Cameron Hughes:
"We had a couple days of practice together. They're two really good players and I think we all bring something different when we're put together and we gel really well."
On if this was a satisfying game:
"I think we have a lot more to bring tomorrow. I don't know if that was our best, obviously we haven't played in a long time. We have a lot more to bring. They hit a lot of posts so it could've been a close game. The bounces went our way, but I think tomorrow we have to come out a little bit better."
