The games of this past weekend were very interesting, in many ways. Not surprisingly, the quotes that came in the aftermath were, too.
I find the distinction between expectations of winning and overlooking one’s opponent to be very interesting — and a theme common to some recent series.
- “We were focused and intense, but last night we weren’t. I don’t know if our guys thought it was going to be easy (Friday) because Northern got killed by Miami, and we tied them. I don’t know what they were thinking. Obviously I didn’t do a good enough job to convince them that Northern was going to show up to play.” LSSU coach Jim Roque, in the Sault Ste. Marie Evening News, after the Lakers’ split with the visiting Wildcats.
- “He faced over 30 shots and had over a .90 save percentage again. He’s going to be a very good one. We like him a lot.” NMU coach Walt Kyle on freshman Jared Coreau (3.25 GAA, .915 SV%), who made30 saves in NMU’s 3-1 loss to LSSU Saturday, also in the Sault Ste. Marie Evening News,
Sault Ste. Marie Evening News. - “It’s nice recognition, although from a team standpoint, we’re only 10 games into our season.” WMU coach Jeff Blashill in the Kalamazoo Gazette, on the Broncos being voted No. 17 in this week’s USCHO poll.
- “I think in years past, the guys went into games doubting themselves and just hoping to win instead of expecting wins. This year, we expect to win every game.” WMU sophomore forward Ben Warda in the Kalamazoo Gazette, after the Broncos swept Michigan State for the first time since Feb. 2007. Warder’s game-winning goal in Saturday’s 3-1 win was his first tally of the season, second of his career after WMU swept MSU.
- “We lacked toughness and we lacked a power play,” MSU coach Rick Comley, in the Lansing State Journal after the Spartans were swept by WMU. The MSU power play (16.3) is tied with Boston College for 30th in the nation.
- “We told them since day one you are going to have to take a lot of baby steps and you are going to go through growing pains.” OSU coach Mark Osiecki, after the Buckeyes beat the Chargers, 6-2, Friday for OSU’s second win of the season.
- “Everyone chipped in offensively and that is one good thing to see guys get on the score sheet.” OSU senior forward C.J. Severyn, who had the game-winning goal in OSU’s 5-1 win over UAH Saturday. Nine different Buckeyes scored in the sweep of the Chargers.
- “If you just look at it from the outside and you’re really aware of what’s going on, you would think it would be a bunch of bad games but on the contrary, I think we had some games through some eight games on the road.” UAH coach Chris Luongo, after losing to OSU, 5-1, Saturday. The series against OSU concluded an eight-game road trip for the Chargers, during which they went 0-6-2.
- “Yesterday, we were trying to be a little cute, but today, simple is genius.” UM coach Red Berenso, to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, after the Wolverines rebounded from a 3-0 loss to Alaska Friday with a 5-2 win Saturday.
- “It hit me in the head actually, on the side of the helmet, and then it bounced right in. A little puck luck.” UM sophomore forward A.J. Treais to The Wolverine, on his game-winning goal at 1:50 in the third of Michigan’s 5-2 win over UAF. It was Treais’ first goal of the season, the eighth of his career.
- “I think as a team, and as a happier player, you want to challenge yourself every night and be playing teams that are top of the country. That’s where we want to be; we want to be right there with them and we are, as you can see.” Alaska senior forward Derek Klassen to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, on the Nanooks’ back-to-back weekends against ranked CCHA teams.
- “I thought he responded well this week, I’m very, very proud of Nick.” BGSU coach Chris Bergeron to the BG News, on senior goaltender Nick Eno’s (3.42 GAA, .883 SV%) 30-save performance in the Falcons’ 3-2 win over the Irish.
- “We played like we did a couple of weeks ago against Boston College. It’s hard to say why we haven’t been consistent. There’s no question it was a much better hockey team for us on the ice tonight.” Jeff Jackson to the Tribune after the Irish rebounded with a 6-3 win over the Falcons Saturday.
- “I was very happy with the win and it meant a lot to the team because obviously Miami has a terrific program. It meant a little bit more because it was Miami.” FSU coach Bob Daniels to the Ferris State Torch, after the Bulldogs swept the then-No. 1 RedHawks in Big Rapids.
- “It’s a long year Everything has a way of evening itself out.” Miami coach Enrico Blasi to the Miami Student, after being swept by FSU.
