Postgame Quotes: Michigan 3, Wisconsin 2
11/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Nov. 28, 2009
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U-M Head Coach Red Berenson
Opening statement... "That may be the best team we've played this year when you combine the skill and the experience of juniors and seniors and just their style of play. They were really good. We were on our heels on and off. Hogey [Goaltender Bryan Hogan] kept us in the game, and then we made our chances count and then hung on in the third. It was a good game for our team to play in, and the confidence that goes along with it. The fact that if we keep our goals against down, we're going to be in these games, it's getting some offensive confidence. It was a grinding game tonight. That was a man's game, it was in the trenches-type hockey."
On what the win tonight does for the team... "Obviously, it's another step in the right direction. You didn't want to come off the game last night and then really be on your heels and be embarrassed because we knew Wisconsin would be pretty good from everything we've heard. They were, and we were up to the task. It was good for our team, and it gave us some confidence. Our defense is playing better, our goalie is playing better and our forwards are chipping in and doing what they can to help us as well."
On Goaltender Bryan Hogan ... "A few weeks ago the bounces were going against him and he was only getting 13 or 14 shots. You don't want to see him have to make 40 saves in a game, but he had to be a factor this weekend and he was. Last night in the second period I thought he was huge, and tonight throughout the game. We didn't give them those breakaway opportunities or big 2-on-1 chances, but they got enough good chances that he had to be a factor anyway."
On the team's offense... "It's good for our team. We're fighting to score goals and all the pressure is on our forwards and when the D can step in and help generate offense with a good play or a good shot, that's huge. You look at Wisconsin and one of the reasons they're successful is because they have 13 goals from their defense."
Senior Captain Chris Summers
On the difference in U-M's play this weekend... "Details. I think I talk about it every week. Our compete level was definitely up at the next level. Guys did small things like stopping pucks and making sure the puck gets deep, not having blueline turnovers. It's the small, small details that really made the difference this weekend."
On whether this weekend was a turning point for the team... "Huge. This is tremendous. The puck really started going in for us last night against Minnesota and that's a good thing. It gives confidence to the forwards and it lets the D know they're not back there for no reason. I think it's a good turning point for our team, but by no means are we there yet. There are still things to work on and things we can improve."
On the play of goaltender Bryan Hogan... "He had a solid weekend. Anytime your goalie gives you a chance to win that speaks volumes for your team. The goalie kept the puck out and gave the puck to the forwards. The forwards scored. Simple hockey."
On this week's challenges as captain with the team not being ranked, losing a recruit and a teammate... "I think the biggest challenge is keeping everyone on the same page. Like you said, there's a lot of different things going on away from the rink that might take away from things we're trying to do at the rink. I think the guys responded well. I think especially now having assistant captains and the seniors stepping up makes a huge difference. Anytime you have a college team where the upperclassmen are leading the team, it's going to be a successful team."
