Postgame Quotes: Michigan State 4, #11 Michigan 3
3/9/2014 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
March 9, 2014
Michigan Head Coach Red Berenson
On the disappointment of letting an early lead get away ... "We knew they would bounce back. I thought we kept them on their heels for half the game. The first goal was a fluky goal and you have to accept that. We get a 3-1 lead, can't kill a penalty, give up that goal and now it's a new game in the third period and it comes down to whoever wants it the most. They got the jump on us and it's as simple as that."
On if the loss puts added pressure on the team looking ahead to Minnesota next weekend ... "Absolutely, but it's all about us. Tonight, you give the other team credit but we gave away that game. You have the lead in the third period that's your game to win or to lose."
On if it felt like two different games after getting a lead early ... "I really liked our team for most of the game tonight and then there were times where we had a setback or a bad bounce or bad chip and the puck was in our net. Our mistakes were costly."
U-M Sophomore Forward Cristoval 'Boo' Nieves
On what was said in the locker room after the game ... "It's really tough. It's kind of hard to pick out positive things after giving up a lead like that but it's a team effort. You can't point fingers at one or two guys. We've got to come back a bit stronger next week."
On the success of his line tonight ... "It's just coming out hard. We beat them to the first puck and we kind of get better each time out. We got a few goals lucky early and we just couldn't capitalize on the later ones."
U-M Senior Forward Luke Moffatt
On playing his last game at Munn Ice Arena ... "I enjoy playing here. It's a great rivalry game. It's always a pretty good atmosphere. They're a tough team to play at home, just like everyone is in the Big Ten right now. That's a tough loss for us, especially when it's in our grasp, to give it away like that."
On the boost that MSU goaltender Will Yanakeff gave the Spartans ... "We obviously didn't get pucks on him right away and we let him build up some confidence and that showed the rest of the game."
On the added pressure going forward with an NCAA Tournament bid in the balance ... "That would have been a big win for us with the Big Ten standings and the national tournament rankings. Dropping that one is tough for us and we've got to have a big weekend next week against Minnesota."
