Postgame Quotes: Michigan 6, Alaska 0
1/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Jan. 15, 2010
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Michigan Head Coach Red Berenson
On tonight's game ... "We knew Alaska would be a tough team and we knew how important the start was. I think the first goal was a big goal. They had a couple of big chances before we scored that goal. Getting the first goal was an important part of the game. Then the first power-play goal -- to get another goal was a huge one. Even with a three-goal lead this game never felt like we were safe because of players like Dion Knelsen on that team, and their power play in previous games. We felt like we had to play a 60-minute game just to keep them off the scoresheet."
On the three goals in quick succession ... "When a team gains excitement, momentum, and confidence you score goals and prevent the other team from scoring goals. We had our way tonight and I'm sure they'll talk about tomorrow night's game. Tonight the puck went in for us, the power play scored, we had shots through, and we balanced scoring."
On the advantage of playing at home ... "We have talked about playing at home and taking advantage of home games. It seems like forever when we play two games at home back to back. Last weekend, we played at Western [Michigan] on the road and one game at home. Now we get a chance to play two games at home. We're trying to catch [Alaska] -- they were six points ahead of us going into tonight's game. Now they are three and we have a chance to catch them with games in hand."
U-M Senior Defenseman Chris Summers
On the three-goal lead after the first period ... "That is back to Michigan hockey. That's my past experience the last three years and that has always been our style to come out and jump the team early on. I think that was the first time all season we really honed in and did that. That makes a huge difference the rest of the game."
On playing a 'complete' game ... "I don't think this was a complete game. There were lapses in that game, especially in the third period, where Alaska could have easily gotten one or two goals. I don't think that was a complete game. It's tough for any team to have a complete game, but we're not quite there yet."
On the success of the penalty kill ... "It was just everyone trusting one another to do their job. Your penalty kill doesn't work if all five guys on the ice aren't working in sync. Your goalie is your best penalty killer. He has to be on top of his game and I think he was tonight. That is something we've been proud of this season."
U-M Freshman Forward Chris Brown
On tonight's win ... "We've been doing well. This was our fourth straight win in a row. We had a lot of guys with points tonight -- 14 guys with points. When you have that depth going down your line getting wins is huge."
On Alaska's 11 penalties ... "It helped. Our power play has been clicking. We have had a lot of power-play goals in the last couple of games. When you have a team like Alaska you have to bury them, especially when they take a bad penalty. It helped us get a three-goal lead in the first and that's huge."
