Postgame Quotes: Michigan 6, American International 3
11/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Nov. 15, 2014
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Michigan Head Coach Red Berenson
On the team's defensive effort ... "I thought our defense played better. We gave up more goals. The second period was a bad period for us. It was a team thing. We played a lot in their zone, but when the puck came out lose they took advantage of it. (Zach) Nagelvoort had to stop at least two of those goals, and our defense have to give him a little more. Nevertheless, it was one of those games where we sagged a little bit, and they bounced right back and got in the game. I give their team high marks. They came in here an underdog, even though we haven't been playing well. These are games we are supposed to win. This is our home territory, and they come in here and gave us two hard-fought games. They didn't get stupid, and they didn't get undisciplined or take bad penalties. Their team played hard right till the end, so give them marks."
On team play in third period ... "I thought it was much better. I thought our team came together. Now the game's on the line, it's a 4-3 game, and we know we have our backs to the wall. We have got to win the period, at least have a solid period. I thought we did that; we got back to a mindset where we have to play with a little desperation and a little confidence. And that fine line between not too much confidence and not too much desperation. But we got pucks in deep and controlled the play. We got more shots on the net, and we were ready to back check."
On getting contributions from all four forward lines ... "It's good. Travis Lynch's line, maybe they got victimized for a couple bad changes and were on the ice for two goals against in the second period. We didn't play them in the first 10 minutes of the third, and we had to win this game playing our top three lines. But when they got out there, they scored an important goal in the game, so good for them."
On Boo Nieves scoring ... "I think that is going to give him confidence. I think this weekend as much as we think we have to play better down the stretch, I think it gave a lot of our players confidence. They hadn't scored much, or they were a little bit stuck. I think they got some confidence, and Boo was one of those guys."
U-M Junior Forward Cristoval 'Boo' Nieves
On scoring his first goal of the season ... "It all started with a good keep in by one of our defenders. It was kind of a broken play, JT (Compher) was going toward the net, it was kind of a back door thing, and I just yelled. A guy like that can put the puck through a few guys skates, and he did; it was pretty easy for me to put it in the back of the net after that."
On the success of his line so far this year ... "It's real easy to play with guys like (Max) Shuart and JT. JT is always supportive in the center. Shuart is also really easy to play with. We have a lot of chemistry, both on and off the ice, which helps. It's been a fun and easy ride so far with these guys."
U-M Junior Forward Andrew Copp
On the play of the team in the third period ... "I think we liked our play. Our second periods haven't been so good this year obviously, but I think we regrouped in the second intermission. We said everyone is all in; we're going to do whatever it takes to get this last 20 minutes to go our way. I think you saw our best period of the weekend in terms of getting pucks out; defensively we didn't give them a lot of chances. We also buried our chances when we could and getting a power-play goal was also important. That's been a struggle for us this year. All good things in the third period, which is what we're looking for."
On positives from the weekend ... "I think our responses to their shifts in momentum were very good. Every time they scored we scored within two or three minutes. Even tonight when our back was against the wall we responded the right way and played the right way. I think that was something we want to take out of here. The offensive confidence, every line I think had two goals this weekend, so that was good for us. Our defense played well and was getting active offensively as well. All good things offensively, our defense can still keep tightening up. Five goals (allowed) in a weekend isn't going to cut it going forward, but we'll work on that. It was overall a good step in the right direction."
