Postgame Quotes: Wisconsin vs. US Under-18
December 12, 2014 | Men's Hockey
Recap | Final Stats
Wisconsin Coach Postgame Quotes
Wisconsin vs. US Under-18
Dec. 12, 2014
Kohl Center - Madison, Wis.
UW Head Coach Mike Eaves
On what his message was after the game:
"The lesson of the game was that even though we thought we were prepared, we didn't build our fire before the game. We tried to scramble throughout the course of the game to get ourselves ready. We didn't make plays… we missed passes in the slot and offensive opportunities that indicated that we weren't ready to play. It's a challenge. If you read the other college coach's comments when they played these guys. It's a universal battle trying to get your college guys to prepare to play against high school kids. You don't realize how good they are. I don't think we played to the level that we wanted. It was disappointing from that standpoint, and that was the lesson. You've got to build your fire all week so that on Friday night, you just throw the match on the fire. During the course of the game, we were scrambling to find our wood to build our fire, and that didn't help us."
On if he could tell that the players are anxious to get out of here for break:
"I don't think so. I'm glad we have a break because it's a time to re-boot the program. Re-boot the computer here a little bit. They need to finish strong in school, go home and enjoy their family, and we'll re-boot the program when we get back."
On the US U-18 team and their ability to play so well:
"They play at a high level. They play at a high pace. That first period was really fast. In the long run, I think they made more plays and they won more battles. In close quarter battles, they won more pucks."
On the feelings of losing to this team:
"No, it was another opportunity to get this thing going in the right way, and there's no shame in losing to that team. They lost to Miami and Minnesota, but it was an opportunity for us to stop the bleeding and get going in the other direction. We missed that opportunity, but it's a good time for a break now. We need to shut the computer down and re-boot here when we get back, and continue to go to work."
On if he personally needs a break:
"I think we all do. I think this has been a tough stretch. I think that getting away and getting some separation from each other, and kind of rethinking what happened over the course of this semester, and realize that the process is… we saw some growth. We're not where we want to be, we still have places and growth to have, and we'll come back and do that."
On his thoughts on the two recruits here tonight (Luke Kunin and Luke Opilka):
"(Opilka) looks solid. You notice a goaltender when he stops your own kids. I heard Luke's (Kunin) name… he scored a goal. By watching video, I'll have a better view of what he did offensively and away from the puck, but the fact that he scored is a very good thing."
On Joel Rumpel's performance:
"Really good. I thought he gave us a chance. We didn't do the things we needed to do in front of him, but I thought he was sharp when he needed. We played him because we wanted to put our best foot forward and give this thing a shot. Not that Petey (Landon Peterson) wouldn't, but I thought he played well."
Wisconsin Players
Senior Goaltender Joel Rumpel
On the vibe after the game:
"I think guys are exciting to get back already and get back to work to turn this thing around. Obviously, it might be positive to get away from the rink for a little while and reflect to be able to come back and turn things around."
On what defines his mood right now:
"Obviously angry and frustrated, all of the above. We are 1-10 but you have to use that anger and frustration to come back and get better. The second half of the season and just use it every day."
On if he sees if the team can win the Big Ten Championship:
"For sure, we are only two games into the Big Ten. That's what we are looking for in the second half of the season. The young guys are not young anymore and we expect everyone to come back from refreshment. I think that will help our young guys out when they come back with that desire to be bigger and be older and stronger. I think it will help our team overall."
Senior Forward Matt Paape
On taking any comfort out of this game:
"We did some alright things in the first two periods but we have to learn from our mistake of not keeping our foot on the gas pedal in the third period. Realize that even if we are playing a young team, we have to keep going and play to win."
On what he will reflect on over break:
"The positive things we have done. We have made some good steps here from the beginning. We have had some good games, we just need to know that feeling and come back hungry and ready to go after break."
On what he would like to see his teammates reflect on:
"I think just not having those little one-step backs. If we have a good practice on Tuesday, we can't come out and be sloppy on Wednesday. Like today, if we have two good periods, we can't come out on the third period one-step back. We have to keep pushing forward."
Senior Defender Chase Drake
On how good the USA team played tonight:
"There are very solid. If you look at their track record against other NCAA teams, they preform well against them. They are talented, they are physical and they can skate. That is what you look for in a team."
On the message after the game:
"We talked about preparation and being prepared and working hard every day of practice. We had a campfire in there and it starts with Monday with the kindling and building that fire and being able to start the match right away at the beginning of the game. Unlike in the middle of the second like we did tonight."
On what his expectations are for the second half:
"Just to come out and contend. Obviously, we are not going to be a young team anymore. It is past Christmas break so I expect us to come out and fix these things over break. Reflect on them and get back to work and fix these little mental breakdowns that we continue to have. That will lead us to winning games that we are always in."
On his definition of contend:
"Our goal is still a Big Ten title. We are only two games into the Big Ten season. We are on the brink of playing our best hockey, we just have to figure these little wrinkles out. I think everyone in the locker room has the goal to win the Big Ten Championship so that is something that we are striving for."
On why he thinks this is a Championship team:
"We have great goal tending and that is hands down what you need in the playoffs. We have skill guys, fourth line, third line guys, we have all the type of players that it takes to win the Big Ten Championship. We just need to put those pieces together now."
