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Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU vs. Michigan Post Game Quotes
February 09, 2007 | Ice Hockey
Feb. 9, 2007
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BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
Head Coach Scott Paluch
"I am very proud of our guys and their effort. I think it's so important that our team was able to feel the award for a real strong performance. Obviously it's been difficult this season to earn the points and the rewards. I am most pleased because in every asset we earned this win. I liked how we handled the situation tonight, because it was very similar to last week's situation where we went down a goal in the third period. We stayed with it, scored a goal to tie it and we had some good penalty kills, and after a really tough start on the power play early in the game. To get a power-play goal late in the game to win was great. I thought out fans were outstanding. It was a good night for the Falcons."
How about the goaltenders tonight, they both came up key in some situations.
"They were both outstanding, I think both were really good. They both were able to follow the bouncing puck a few times, and keep the puck out of the net in certain situations. I thought in the second period we did a really good job on creating chances off the fore-checks. We were able to create chances and get to the net, but it always seemed like there was a odd-man rush against us, and they just don't make many mistakes. Even if your back-checker is close in the area they still end up with a great scoring chance. They are so skilled that way, but Jimmy made just some great saves. He kept us were we needed to be a 2-1 and one shot away. Tonight it all fell into place down the stretch, and we got to celebrate twice tonight, which is kind of nice."
What was the difference in tonight's game and the earlier game against Michigan, it seemed like night and day.
"They jumped on things right away. (Last time)They got the early goal much like they did tonight. They were able to sustain some end-zone pressure, up in Ann Arbor. I don't think they had nearly that much tonight, sustained end-zone pressure as they had up there. We also saw tonight a lot of that puck luck turn in our favor; we had some that didn't go in with the pipe at the end of the game. And up there they had the goal that fooled Jimmy on the deflection in and broke things open up there. But you need that sometimes to win hockey games, but I really think we earned that tonight."
Talk about only holding Michigan to two goals.
"Both teams were content with the match-ups that were going on and there were some pretty good line matches. I really liked the way Bronson's line played against Ciraulo's line. I think there was some assignments out there we wanted guys to take pride in that and we have see Matsumoto's line do it for three straight nights now, so Kyle Page and Mike Hodgson going up against Hensick's line did a terrific job for the most part."
What was the match-up you wanted with Hensick?
"We wanted Mazzei and Matsumoto to play as much against Hensick's line, and then McIlrath against Cogliano, and then whoever missed that first match-up was going to go out against that first group there. "
Talk about Hodgson and Page.
"They did a terrific job cutting off cycles in the corners. For one they were stronger in the corners and didn't let the line get it moving down low, but they did a great job cutting it off before it got down low. A lot of the chances that Hensick was able to create came off turnovers and broken plays. Anytime he is going to pick up a puck off a broken play with some room is going to lead to a scoring chance. He is a terrific gifted player."
What does this do for the players?
I think it really reaffirms and works the character that these guys have shown. I have said this a couple of times, and unfortunately I have had to say it too much, but its very easy to be a positive influence and a good teammate when your team's rolling. But when it's reversed and your team is five and whatever I think the true character comes out when you are going though a difficult season. These guys have come out every week and battled through hard practices, and have enjoyed their time here at BG. I think its very important that we have got to be as good as we can be come March 2, and this is going to go a long way confidence wise. This gives us a opportunity to build and learn that we can pull out wins in these situations."
Jimmy Spratt
Talk about how big it is to get a result like this.
"It's huge. It only showed tonight, but we have played so hard these last few weeks. Finally we bared down on our couple goals."
Talk about some of your saves tonight.
"I thought that the team did a good job in front of me tonight. I saw a lot of pucks and when you can see the puck you can stop it."
What was the difference in tonight's game verses the last time you played these guys?
"They are a tough team to play at home, but I think we are a tough team to play at home when we get the support behind us. I think the change in scenery helped. I also think we are playing a lot better since the last time we saw them."
Talk about the short hand goal.
"I guess we just didn't get down. They scored quick and short-handed, but we didn't give up and just kept coming at them."
Tomas Petruska
Talk about the winning goal
"It's simple I just shot and it went in. On power-play we were having some tough times with it in the game, but all we have to do is just crash the net and shoot the puck. I didn't have much of a choice. The puck landed on my stick and I just shot it."
What does this win do for the team?
"What I think is our confidence is getting better. Jimmy has played outstanding. The team just came together, and that's what we have been looking for the whole year."
When ranked teams come in do you think the team has a little more juice in their step?
"Of course. When there is a better team you want to show up and prove that you can play with the best teams in the country.
