March 29, 2010
2010 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Midwest Regional Final
March 28, 2010 – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum – Fort Wayne, Ind.
No. 1 Seed Miami vs. No. 3 Seed Michigan Quotes
Head Coach: Red Berenson (Michigan)
On the overall play of the game…
“Well I think everybody saw a great college hockey game tonight and a game that could have gone either way several times. I thought they had us on our heels in the third period. In the overtime, I thought we had them on their heels but it was one of those games. I’m proud of our team; I’ve thought they’ve had a terrific run this last month or more. Everybody left everything they had on the ice. It could have gone in for us and it didn’t; it went in for them instead tonight. Fort Wayne did a good job and Notre Dame did a good job of hosting the tournament.”
On the disallowed goal…
“That’s a tough one to swallow. The referee blew the whistle because he was calling a penalty on them, but we had control and Lynch put it in the net a split second after he blew the whistle. You can’t win on those calls. Even if he didn’t blow the whistle, he could have said he meant to blow the whistle. He was so intent on calling the penalty that they couldn’t see that the puck was loose, and we were putting it in the net.”
On Miami taking control of the game…
“The one difference in overtime is that there are no TV time outs. Maybe that favored us, I don’t know. We seemed to get our legs and our second wind. They’re a good team, let’s face it. I’m pretty proud of our team. They definitely had a strong part of the third period.
On Michigan’s comeback…
“I can’t remember a team that really came back. Last night’s game was a do-or-die game. Tonight’s game was do-or-die. It’s a fine line between winning and losing. I feel so good about our team and what they accomplished. The thing I liked about this team is that they really came together; there were no individual agendas and everyone was for the team.”
On this run…
“You’re so close. If we would have gotten[to the frozen four], this team was really making believers out of everyone that wouldn’t have given us a hope in heck of making that Frozen Four appearance. It was great, but it’s not as good.”
Chris Summers, Sr., D
On the last few weeks’ success…
“The last four years, every year is different obviously with different guys; it’s a new team every year. I can honestly say this is the most proud I’ve ever been of Michigan hockey team. It’s tough with two injuries. Timely goal scoring couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s kind of sad to say the season’s over, but I’m so proud of the guys sitting in the locker room right now.”
Carl Hagelin, Jr., L
On the OT…
“I think we did a good job in overtime to get the puck deep and create chances. We obviously had enough chances to win this game.”
On the power play…
“They’re a good team; they have a great penalty kill and they did a good job all night blocking shots. At this point, a goal on the power play is always a good goal. Like you said, we kind of struggled and didn’t get the puck deep enough.”
Head Coach: Enrico Blasi (Miami)
On the overall play of the game…
“Well it was a heck of a battle tonight. Obviously it goes into overtime like that and one shot can win it for you. The guy to my left had the good fortune of that happening to him, but it’s tough when both teams are giving it everything they have. We are very proud of our team and the way they responded to the little bit of adversity during the game. I thought we did a pretty good job all night long of playing our game and sticking to it. There was a lot of passion and determination on both sides tonight”
On [Connor] Knapp’s play…
“Like I said yesterday, we have two number one goalies. Tonight was Connor’s night, and we knew he would go in there and do exactly what he did. We reminded him that Michigan shoots from everywhere and to be ready. He was great all night long.”
On the overall success of the game…
“The last time we played Michigan I don’t think we showed them anything. It looked like we were chasing them around. We were determined to play our game tonight. I thought the third period we played great. We really took it to them. The guys were so excited to get on the ice and to continue to possess the puck. We got a little bit away from it in the first overtime. Like I said, one shot beats it. I thought for the most part we did a really good job on not giving second chances. Michigan is a good team, and they keep on coming.”
On Michigan’s momentum in OT…
“Unless you’re playing, you’re on pins and needles because one shot can win you or lose you the game. We’ve been on the wrong side of those a few times in the past few years. Both teams were tired but a lot of passion and determination was on the ice on both sides.”
On going back to the Frozen Four…
“It feels like ten years ago, but it’s hard to believe that a year has gone by. We’re excited; I think if you walk by our locker room you can tell. We’ll get a couple days rest and then start preparing for Boston College. I keep saying everything happens for a reason.”
Connor Knapp, So., G
On keeping a cool head…
“The guys really battled in front of the net for loose rebounds. It probably looked worse than it was.”
On the goal review…
“I was fortunate he blew the whistle fast. I knew he blew the whistle before the guy shot it. If the ref can’t see it, he’s going to blow the whistle.”
Alden Hirschfeld, So., L
On the goal…
“I didn’t really know it went in until everyone started skating out. We fought hard all night. Coach kept telling us every chance we got to get the puck on net. The puck just kind of popped out, and I picked it up around the top of the circle and I just shot it through on net and it went in. I know it went under his arm. I think it went through the legs of the guy who tried to block the shot first.”
On leaving everything on the ice…
“We said between overtimes we knew we were tired. We just kept reemphasizing the focus. At that point in OT you’re running on adrenaline and you can tell that your guys are tired but you put it behind you and just go because you know at any second the game could be over.