Jan. 5, 2010
Recap | Box Score
Team USA Head Coach Mark Johnson
Opening comments: “…I want to thank all the people who came out tonight to watch the game. I thought it was supported very well and hopefully they were entertained and they got a sneak preview of this hockey team that they are going to get to watch starting February 14 when we play China in Vancouver. It’s always nice to come back home. This time around it was real nice—I actually got another set of clothes; I was done with this set of clothes I’ve been wearing for the six days we’ve been on the road because this ended our road trip. We’ve had problems with our luggage (and) we’ve had problems with our equipment. Tonight this is the first night we’ve had all our equipment in the same building to start a game. It was good, it was fun and I’m glad I had an opportunity to bring the Olympic team in here prior to us going to Vancouver.”
Team USA Goaltender Jessie Vetter
On returning home in a different uniform: “It’s definitely different coming out of a different end. I was joking with the equipment manager that I was going to go to the Badger end just to be funny, but I decided against that. It was great to be back in the Kohl Center playing in front of my family and friends. I definitely had a good time at UW playing here, so it was pretty exciting to be back.”
Wisconsin Head Coach Tracey DeKeyser
On coaching the Badgers vs. Team USA tonight: “Honestly, it was the highlight of my career. I think just to be out there; I’m such a sucker for the Olympics, I cry every time it’s on, and for some reason I found myself kind of teary-eyed during the National Anthem. I was looking around, enjoying the moment, seeing familiar faces in the crowd—alumni, parents, or just looking across the bench and seeing how far our Badgers have come to reach this pinnacle of their career. It was really exciting. I just give thanks to Coach Johnson for giving this position to me this year and letting me run with it, obviously with a lot of help along the way. It was an amazing time.”
Wisconsin Player Jasmine Giles
On facing old teammates tonight: “It was exciting to play against my old teammates and old coach. It was great to just get out there and get to play. It was one of the more memorable games of the season.”
On lessons to learn: “I think we came out pretty confident in the second and third period, so I think just to keep our confidence up. I think now it shows that we can take it to any team because we kept up on them, so it was good.”
