Jan. 21, 2011
Recap | Final Stats
Wisconsin Head Coach and Player Quotes
Wisconsin vs. Minnesota State
January 21, 2011
Head Coach Mike Eaves
On the play of Jake Gardiner:
“I think what comes to mind is Charles Dickens' classic novel, A Tale of Two Cities. 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' At times Jake was brilliant tonight, and at times he made decisions (that weren't so great). The big thing about his game tonight was that he was into it, he was competing. Overall, he was a factor (in getting the win).”
On how many college hockey players could make the defensive play he did in the 2nd period:
“You have to think of who the really good skaters are in the league. He made the decision to pass, which was poor, and then he was able to get back and have a hand in breaking it up. There might be a handful of players in the 58 teams that are Division I that could skate like that and do that. That is one of his strengths.”
On the effort of the team as a whole:
“A little bit along those same lines (the best of times and the worst of times). I thought we did some really good things with the puck when we came out in the first period – we were making plays, and we got the puck in their zone. Unfortunately, along with what we were doing, we didn't get people to the nets. We weren't getting pucks there. As a result, we got lulled into this kind of 'hey, let's just play in the perimeter and have the puck and be nice.' They got their legs, they got their will going, and they tested us. I'm glad there was a break after the first period, because their will was rising, and we needed to regroup ourselves and ask 'What's going on?' We did a much better job in the second period.”
On the play of Scott Gudmandson:
“That was his busiest night in a long time, not only in the quantity of shots, but the quality as well. (Despite that) It was a good night for him. That may get overlooked as we talk about the team, but if that backbone of our game isn't there, then we're wearing frowns.”
On the team getting outshot by Minnesota State and still winning:
“It doesn't happen often, and we certainly wouldn't want to make that a pattern. They're the type of team that anytime they have the opportunity, the puck was going in. Part of their mode of operanda is to do that, to get middle drive and the wide lane to go to the net. That's the way they're coached; they're a team that's going to get everything at the net.”
Player Quotes
Jake Gardiner
On his defensive play in the second period:
“It was just a miscommunication on our part (at first). I threw a pizza out there, and luckily I was able to go back and catch him. If you're down 2-0, you're going to try your hardest to get back.”
On successfully hitting a post into the net:
“It was nice. I was actually worried (that it wouldn't go in). I've just been unlucky this year, so I hope this started something for me.”
Scott Gudmandson
On his view of Gardiner's play:
“The guy with the puck was coming in. He gave me a little fake, and I almost bit on it. Gardiner got a stick on it and I was able to reach out and kick it away with my pads. He made a good effort getting it back.”
On if he had a chance to make the play:
“With his wheels, yeah. He's pretty quick. He can get back there if he makes any mistakes.”
Podge Turnbull
On the effort of the team as a whole:
“We gutted it out. Coming in after the first period was a little bit of a gut check for us, and I think we handled it pretty well. We got the right guys to respond, and as a team we responded really well. We started doing the hard things better, we got pucks out, pucks at the net. It was just a good thing for us to come out in the second period and answer the way we did.”
On how many players could make Gardiner's play:
“There's probably a few guys out there (that could do so). I try not to focus on them because I'm trying to beat them, but Jake's one of those kids that can make that play and afford to make a mistake and correct it. That's something that's a testament to his skill and character.”
