March 22, 2008

Final Stats

Michigan Quotes

Junior Center Tim Miller

On receiving CCHA MVP and All-Tournament team accolades...

"It's exciting. It's really exciting. I could care less about those, but it's just the big trophy that matters."

On his performance at Joe Louis Arena this season...

"I was joking around with some of the guys earlier about it. I don't know what it is about here, if it's the atmosphere or the ice, but I love playing here."

Senior Center Kevin Porter

On the young team's success...

"It's been unbelievable. No one ever thought that we would come this far, but so far we have had a great season. There's a long way to go. We'll see where we are in the tournament tomorrow and we will go from there."

On leading the team into the NCAA tournament...

"We just have to come out hard in our first NCAA tournament game and these guys haven't played one yet. (We need to) come out flying like we have in the CCHA tournament and I think we'll do just fine."

Junior Goaltender Billy Sauer On the game...

"Obviously, just getting the win is the most important part. It sucks letting in the goal with just 30 seconds left, but the important thing is we got the win. I did what I needed to do, the team finished for me and we got it done."

On comparing this weekend's games...

"Yesterday was a completely different game. I didn't get many shots and the ones I got were a little bit tougher. Today, I just kind of stayed consistent the whole time, had a good feeling and just tried to keep the puck in front of me."

Michigan Head Coach Red Berenson

On the year in general:

"This is one of those years; it is just a surprise year. I think this team continues to surprise themselves. It was the college hockey classic, the GLI, first place and now this."

On the senior class:

"The seniors have been unbelievable. We only have two seniors that are playing and they have taken this team on their back. If you are a freshmen you have had great senior leadership."

On being named to the All-Tournament Team and on the game...

"I thought it was a great game on both sides. (Michigan) played a great game. They're a great offensive team. If you give them chances, they're going to turn it into a scoring chance. But I thought our guys played hard. I thought we did a good job."

On his reasoning for his outstanding play this weekend...

"I just saw the puck well this weekend. Like I said, I thought our team did a great job all weekend long. We stuck to our systems, and both games we were able to keep to the outside most of our shots. Most of the other team's shots were from the top circles and out, so it makes my job easier."

Senior Forward Ryan Jones

On playing a team like Michigan...

"Every game is fun, but especially when you get to play Michigan at the Joe for a championship- it's especially exciting. I mean, it was a great hockey game and it was fast both ways."

On preparing for the NCAA Tournament...

"Win or lose, we had to put this game behind us. We have to play for a National Championship. We can't get too down because we lost, just like we couldn't get too excited if we had won the game. So it's important to build on the mistakes that we made today and hopefully keep rolling in the tournament."

Head Coach Enrico Blasi

On the tonight's game...

"Well, I thought it was a pretty good game. It usually comes down to one of the team's executing one or two more plays than the other team, and that is exactly what happened tonight. Michigan was able to execute a couple more plays. We got one back at the end, when we pulled our goalie, but you have to give both Michigan and Billy Sauer credit. Sauer played well early, and we just weren't able to get any offense."

On a potential match-up with Michigan in the NCAA playoffs...

"If we play Michigan in Denver, then both Red (Berenson) and I will be extremely happy. So it would be a good thing and great for the league as well."