2003-04 IHM vs. Michigan Tech -- Postgame Quotes
12/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
Michigan Head Coach Red Berenson
On the game ... "I thought it was a game of two disappointed teams and obviously we knew we had to play better than we did last night. I didn't look at it as a consolation game as much as a game that in the big picture can cost you down the road. If you have any thought of being an (NCAA) tournament participant you can't lose a game like this. To us it was a very important game."
On the special teams ... "It was a game where special teams, again, played a big part. Our power play finally clicked and put the puck in the net."
On the play of his goaltenders ... "That was a big question mark coming into the weekend. I thought Noah (Ruden), obviously starting both games, showed that he could give us a chance to win. He did a good job last night and this afternoon. Even though he didn't have as much work, he still had some key screen shots that were tough saves. The young Mike Mayhew came in and probably had the most difficult task. They had some tough shots against him and he handled it well. It's a great confidence builder for those two and a great boost to our team, to know that they can come in a play if they need to."
U-M Junior Defenseman Eric Werner
On his offensive output ... "We were struggling to score in the first half, and hopefully now my teammates have some confidence in themselves. On my goals T.J. (Hensick) set me up twice in the slot. Most of the credit goes to him. He had his head on a swivel and was looking for me."
On getting hungry for goals ... "Every period we wanted to step it up. That was the game plan. As the goals went in, in each period we kept on improving."
U-M Sophomore Goaltender Noah Ruden
On earning his first career win ... "It's nice. The guys played really hard today. We were a little upset with how we played yesterday, so we made sure today that this was the way we were going to come out the rest of the season. So we made sure to come out hard. Everyone played hard the whole game. I had 13 shots against when I was in there. We really worked them down low and got some some good goals early. When you have a 4-0 cushion it makes the goalie's job a lot easier because you feel more relaxed. Getting that first win was fun."
On the experience factor ... "I thought about how experience might come into play and how that might help or hurt me. Granted this isn't juniors, but you've played in a lot of games to this point. I haven't played in many games since I've been here, but mentally and physically have been in situations where I've needed to perform. Regardless of not having the college game experience, I felt I still had enough experience in my career to draw on that in the game."
On the offensive production ... "The first goal was just a little shot from the point and that is all you need sometimes when you have traffic in front. After that we were finding guys in front. I think we had four goals in a row right in the slot. We had guys burying pucks finally. I think we've had some trouble with our chances lately and today we buried them. You could feel it in the locker room and on the ice. Guys were feeling the momentum and happy."
