Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU vs. Wayne State Quotes
December 01, 2007 | Ice Hockey
Dec. 1, 2007
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Head Coach Scott Paluch
OPENING STATEMENT
"I thought it was a pretty complete game for us. I really like the way we responded after giving up a late goal in the first. We were able to come out and have one of the best if not the best second periods for us this year. I thought we stayed pretty consistent throughout the night. It was another good special teams night and Nick [Eno] was solid in goal. It was a complete night and I was really excited when we scored the goals early and got a lead, we surrendered a goal late but we rebounded from that and played consistent the whole night."
How does it feel to have two wins under your belt heading into the Michigan series?
"No question it is always good to win. It is always good to get some consistent streaks. We followed up last night with another win, giving us two in a row heading into a really big series next weekend."
What did you like about the second period?
"Mentally, giving up the late goal was a tough thing for us. I thought we did a nice job from the first shift on, getting ourselves down low and getting some cycles going. We talked about during the break, and there are a lot of momentum changes in the game. We earned it in the first but they took it away with a late goal, and we had to get it back and I thought we did that. We got our feet moving in the second period. We got to a lot of loose pucks, and had a short-handed goal that helped in the momentum. We took the game over with our feet and our ability to play down low."
Do you think it was your best period played this year?
"I know we put a lot of emphasis in the second period in taking the momentum back. I am not sure if it was our best period, I know we were moving pretty good. We have had some good periods this year, and I don't know where this one ranks but I know it is a good one for right now."
How did you prepare for tonight without Derek Whitmore and John Mazzei in the lineup?
"Those are very noticeable when they are not in the lineup. What has been good is that we have been able to rotate and get a lot of players playing this year. It was a game-time decision with David Solway, so we were only missing one piece from last night. Patrick Tiesling came in for us and Kai Kantola moved up. A lot of it has to do with John [Mazzei] and Derek's leadership. We just have to keep going regardless of who is in or out."
What can you improve on heading into next weekend?
"I did not think there was anything out of control. There was a hit late in the game, but it settled down and nothing happened so we are full go for next week. There were not a lot of negatives in a game like this, it was a positive way to build after last night and go on."
Do you expect to play Whitmore and Mazzei against Michigan?
"Derek's injury was an overnight thing. He was able to loosen up on the bike, he could go okay on the ice forward but could not turn well. I would think there is a good chance he could play next week based on where he is today. John is kind of interesting. We are hoping to have him. There is still significant pain in his shoulder so we are concerned about that."
Do you feel more confident on special teams this year?
"There is certainly a better feeling for the penalty kill. I think we are to the point where there is a lot more confidence in the ability to move it. I still believe that our team is most solid when are playing all of our people. There is no question that our power play has given us a big lift in our games, and our numbers production wise which was a question mark has been answered by our power play. It has given us more confidence. The penalty kill has been a steadily improving group. I like the fact that we can get chances short-handed and it was nice to finally get a short-handed goal."
Forward Kai Kantola
What do you think heading into the Michigan series?
"It is going to be a good test. It should be fun and will be interesting to see what kind of team we are."
What do you think about how game tonight?
"It was a complete package tonight. We had some key players out of the lineup and we had to outwork their team and play our system. We just had to bring it tonight."
How do you prepare when players like Mazzei and Whitmore are out?
"We know when key players are out and there is a quiet silence. Everyone knows what they need to be getting done, and every individual knows they need to step up to help with that situation."
How did you get things turned around in the second after giving up a late goal in the first?
"We just had the mindset. It is a big momentum change when a team scores with less than a minute left in the period. We just came into the locker room and knew we had to get momentum back our way, and just come out swining"
How do you compare the second period tonight with other periods you have played?
"The second period was definitely high tempo. It was very energetic with some great systems played. It was a good period on our part."
Do you guys feel more confident on special teams?
"For sure. We have the mindset that every time we get on the power play that we have a good chance at getting a goal. We just have the mindset and the confidence to go out there and get another every power play. We have that mindset to battle for loose pucks and get the pucks to the net. Our penalty kill has done well winning battles and getting the puck into their zone, blocking shots, doing everything we can to help our goaltender out."
