Feb. 20, 2011

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Head Coach Mike Eaves

On the pace of the game:

"It was a fun college hockey game. It was fun to be a part of, it was a great building to be in, and it was one of the better games we've played all year. I said to coach Don Lucia when we shook hands that it's ironic that it is a complete flip-flop from what we had in the fall where we went in and beat their team 6-0, which was a total surprise. We played last night like they did that Friday night, which was uncharacteristic. And then there was a 3-3 game on Saturday which was one of the better games we played all year--highly competitive, good goaltending, great second efforts, turning points that you could write a book about. It was really a great and entertaining college hockey game tonight."

On ending in a tie:

"We just ran out of time. I firmly believe in my heart, as Vince Lombardi said, we just ran out of time. I think the way we were pressing; Justin Schultz had a great look at the end. We were down there, we could see we were on our toes in our play and we just ran out of time."

On his overview of the standings with four games left:

"Our overview is the next game, and winning that. That's what we can control. I know that coaches keep saying that, but that's our next overview. We'll come back on Monday, see where we're at, and get ready for St. Cloud State."

On the effort from the fourth line:

"I was so happy for them to get rewarded for their efforts. They got more ice time than they would normally, but the reason they got that ice time was because they built trust in the coaching staff. They had good energy, they were doing the things they needed to do, and they seemed to have good chemistry. That was the first time we had them together, and what a memorable goal for Jefferson Dahl to have him score his first goal in a big game in a packed Kohl Center. They deserved the ice time they got."

On deciding to play Brett Bennett and how he played in the game:

"Scott Gudmandson in his last few games has given up four goals and five goals and probably wasn't as good as he had been, and with the effort that we had last night it was time for a change. It was just, pure and simple, time for a change. And the other ingredient in that decision was that he's been good in practice. He deserves it based on the way he's looked in practice, and he played terrific. Without his effort, especially on the 5-on-3, I don't know if we would've survived."

On the bad power play early in the game:

"At that point it did drain energy from us. It wasn't going the way we wanted, and we were trying too hard once again. If you noticed on the next power play, we made some changes and then in the third period we settled down and did a lot of good things and had some good looks and could've scored on that power play."

Freshman forward Jefferson Dahl

On his line's play in the game:

"I thought our line played well tonight. We just wanted to create energy and just do the little things by getting in low. I thought we did well. On the goal, I have to give all the credit the Mark Zengerle. We were on a line change and he held the puck down low and created a turnover which got the tying goal."

On the team's feelings on tying:

"We definitely wanted the win tonight and to get the two points in the standings, but the way we came back tonight from last night, it's a positive. I think that we're all happy with the effort we put out there today. It was a team effort and I think that we'll come back on Monday and get ready for St. Cloud State."

Sophomore defenseman Justin Schultz

On Brett Bennett's effort in goal:

"Yeah, he definitely gave us a boost, especially in the second period when we were down a couple of guys for almost 1:30. When he came flying across the crease and stopped that one, it was a huge part of the game. He played unbelievable tonight and I give a lot of credit to him."

On his thoughts on his offensive production this season:

"It's definitely pretty neat to be up there with those kinds of players. But it's really just whatever I can do to help the team win. I'll score 30 goals as long as it helps us get to the national championship game. Whatever I have to do to help this team get back to the national championship game and win it this year."

Senior goaltender Brett Bennett

On how he felt he played and if it was the best game he's played:

"The guys played pretty well in front of me and that has a lot to do with any goaltender having a good game. It was a good game. I wish I had a few back, of course, like every goalie that gets scored on. But it was too bad we couldn't come out with the win, the guys really worked hard tonight and it was a pleasure playing in front of the crowd, it was awesome."

On the defense blocking shots and how it impacted his play:

"It was huge, especially on that 5-on-3, guys were blocking a lot of shots. That goes a long way in the game. That puck might hit me and then maybe a guy taps in a rebound or I don't see it and it goes in. It's just a team effort and it's huge on the penalty kill. Coach Butters stresses that and we came through tonight. For us to be successful down the road, we have to keep doing that."