March 26, 2010

NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Midwest Regional
March 26, 2010 | Allen County War Memorial Coliseum | Fort Wayne, Ind.
No. 4 Seed Michigan Wolverines Quotes

Head Coach: Red Berenson

Opening Statement…..
We’re in a good place right now. A month ago, I don’t we could tell you that we would be in a tournament. We are here because we won our conference title and the automatic bid or else we wouldn’t be here.

On the progress of Summers…
Summers has been out the last two weeks, and he’s close to playing so we’ll decide tomorrow morning. I’m 60-40 he will play tomorrow.

On how the defense has stepped up…
I think they whole team has stepped up. Our forwards have helped our defense, and the defense has helped the goalie and so on. So, I think it’s a good team effort. If Summers plays he should fit in and not miss a beat.

On concerns of Bemidji State…
They have had a great season. They had a great run last year to get to the Frozen Four. They have the experience. In the games I have watched, they are one of the quickest teams I have seen. So they are a legitimate, not just tournament team, but a contending type team. They can knock teams out. They knocked out the number one off in our league last year and they made it look easy. That concerns me.

On if making the tournament gets old…
I think the bar was set a long time ago that we expect to make the tournament. This is one of those years, that around Christmas time, I could’ve told you our team was going to make the tournament. We’re in the top four or five teams in the tournament. This year it’s not the case. We had to battle. Everyone in our locker appreciates being in the tournament this year. This has been a different year for sure.

Steve Kampfer

On the uncertainty of making the tournament…
As coach said, if you asked us around the Christmas period, you’re kind of like “I don’t know, maybe.” How we battled as a team, how we went through adversity, and how we came back, and we made that run through the playoffs. We came together as a team and set one goal, and that was to win the CCHA championship. And get a tournament berth and that’s what we did.

On describing coach Berenson…
He’s the best coach I’ve ever played for. He knows how to prepare guys for every game. He knows how to treat his players. He knows how to get the best out of everyone. That’s what he has done this year, he’s gotten the best out of everyone. I think we are playing our best hockey right now.