Postgame Quotes: Michigan 4, #14 Michigan State 3
12/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Dec. 9, 2011
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Michigan Head Coach Red Berenson
On tonight's game ... "We knew it would be a tough team. I think the 4-1 lead kind of surprised everyone. Michigan State came back and got that early goal and it was a new game in the third period. I liked the way we battled hard. We had a couple of chances, they had a couple of chances, and the game still could have gone either way."
On Chris Brown's goal ... "That was a big goal and a good goal. We have not seen a lot of good goals this year, but Brownie going to the net, he is a big kid; he is tough to stop and he cut in on the net. That was a huge goal. I like the way that whole line played with (Alex) Guptill and (David) Wohlberg. Right now that line has given us the life, no question."
On holding off the Spartan comeback attempt ... "We battled hard. We were hanging on there for a couple of shifts, especially on the PK when we couldn't get off. They eventually scored, but our team went out the next shift and played hard and stayed in the game. I think our team is a better team than we were two weeks ago, or two months ago. We haven't had a lot to show for it, but this was an important game obviously, an important win."
On veteran players' scoring contributions ... "That is huge. The first-period goal is huge, but those were good goals too. They weren't lucky goals; they were good goals, good plays and made by good players. It was good to see them on the board."
U-M Senior Forward David Wohlberg
On how important this game was ... "It's huge. We needed to get back on a streak here, winning, and that's a good team we played against tonight. It's encouraging for the guys on the team and hopefully we'll do it again tomorrow."
On the team's performance ... "I think the guys we needed to step up stepped up tonight. I thought every line played well, Hunny (Shawn Hunwick) played well, and we knew what needed to be done."
On what is working ... "Those two guys I'm playing with are big boys. I think we're just grinding it out down low, playing good on the cycle, getting pucks in the net. I couldn't tell you one thing, I just think the chemistry is there right now. "
U-M Fifth-year Senior Goaltender Shawn Hunwick
On the will it took to keep the puck out of the net in the last seconds ... "It was crazy. The puck was all over the zone, they were all over us. We were lucky to get out of that with a win, but a lot of times it goes a different way. One blocked shot here, or a missed assignment, and the game is tied and then we're going to overtime. So it's huge to play in games like that. For down the road you look back at games from last season you've got to be able to win one or a couple games with a goalie out you've got to be able to do the job."
On the importance of U-M scoring two late goals in the second period ... "For a while there we were getting chances and not being able to bury. And then the guys took advantage of the opportunity and at the same time their goalie was making some pretty good saves. The two-on-one could have been another goal. So, you know, goals are precious and you have to be able to take advantage of them. Extending the lead by three goals going into the third period was huge, obviously."
