“We’re rooting for certain teams we normally don’t root for.” Ferris State head coach Bob Daniels on how the end of the season makes for strange bedfellows, following the Bulldogs’ tie and win over Ohio State on the road Feb. 25.
“You can spin that any way you want it. At some point, you have to get on the road and win.” Ohio State head coach Mark Osiecki, whose Buckeyes would have had home ice in the first round of the CCHA playoffs
“They’ve been there all year. I don’t know what to say about (Andy) Miele, (Reilly) Smith, Carter Camper and Pat Cannone. They come to play every night.” Miami head coach Enrico Blasi on the RedHawks’ top four scorers after the RedHawks swept the Lakers on the road, Feb. 26. Miele was 2-3–5 on the weekend; Smith was 3-2–5; Camper was 2-1–3; Cannone was 1-1–2.
“I was really happy with our effort tonight. If we play like that going forward, I’m happy with that.” Lake Superior State head coach Jim Roque on the Lakers’ 5-1 home loss to Miami Saturday, Feb. 26, following LSSU’s 8-1 loss to Miami Feb. 25.
“They wanted fourth place more than we wanted first place.” Notre Dame head coach Jeff Jackson to the South Bend Tribune, after losing 2-0 at home to Western Michigan Feb. 26 cost the Fighting Irish a regular-season CCHA title.
“Confidence is a great thing. Confidence is only earned by wins. You can’t fake confidence. To be able to play against a great Notre Dame team and come out with a victory is going to give our team confidence.” Western Michigan head coach Jeff Blashill, to WKZO radio, after the Broncos beat the Irish in South Bend Feb. 26.
“We’re completely happy where we are right now, but we’re far from where we want to be. We’re just scratching the surface.” WMU captain Ian Slater after the win over Notre Dame, also to WKZO radio.
“We’ve got time to shake it off. You never know, maybe it’s a good thing. You don’t know yet. Hopefully, we respond to it in a positive way.” Jackson, again after the Feb. 26 game, quoted in the South Bend Tribune Mar. 1.
“We had a two-on-one, we don’t get a shot. We have a three-on-two, we go offsides. We had power-play opportunities, don’t get pucks through. Our year in a nutshell. Not enough purpose to what we did.” Bowling Green head coach Chris Bergeron after a 2-0 shutout loss to Michigan State, Feb. 26, one night after losing 2-1 to the Spartans.
“Everything seems to have been kind of an uphill battle this whole year. To finish the year with our first sweep and put the seniors out and Coach like that and having the excitement of singing the song after – it was pretty special.” Spartan Dean Chelios, who had the game-winner in the 2-0 win over the Falcons, on singing the MSU fight song in the locker room after the game.
“It was nice. I’m not a glamor and glitz kind of guy. My preference would be to do nothing, but I appreciate what it was. It was nice.” Michigan State’s Rick Comley, on the ceremony following that 2-0 win, his last game in Munn Ice Arena as head coach of the Spartans.
“After this weekend, we’re going to have to do everything we can to be prepared because we’ve seen what they can do if you’re not ready to compete last Saturday night.” Alaska head coach Dallas Ferguson, to the Fairbanks Daily Newsminer Feb. 26, on meeting MSU in the first round of the CCHA playoffs. The Nanooks and the Spartans split in Fairbanks Feb. 18-19, with MSU winning 6-2 Saturday, Feb. 19.
“I think it’s good bragging rights right now. For this team, although we were picked first by some people, doing it is another thing.” Michigan head coach Red Berenson to the Michigan Daily this week, on capturing the CCHA regular-season title.
“Hogie had a great four years, but I didn’t want the possibility of his last memory being when he was injured before The Big Chill.” Michigan senior goaltender Shawn Hunwick to the Michigan Daily this week, on why he gave up his own shutout so that his classmate, Bryan Hogan, could finish UM’s 5-0 win over NMU Saturday night.
“We just have to forget about it and be ready to go. The second season starts with the playoffs and this is when it really all matters. If you lose, you’re done. You win, you move on.” Northern Michigan captain Phil Fox to the Marquette Mining Journal, after the Wildcats were swept at home by the Wolverines last weekend.
