University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Quotes
12/2/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
POSTGAME QUOTES
Minnesota vs. Michigan Tech
December 1, 2007
Minnesota Head Coach Don Lucia
On the importance of scoring the third goal:
“Tonight we shut the door from a defensive standpoint. We did a very good job by only giving up a few shots in the third period, and getting a third goal was so critical. We played a good second period too, but we couldn’t get that third goal, but getting the third goal tonight, for us, was the big difference.
On the health of the team coming into the game:
“We knew we would have to jumble up the lines a bit tonight. We double shifted Kyle (Okposo) and Blake (Wheeler) at times, and I thought they both did a good job tonight. We played physical, and Mike (Howe) chipped in two goals. It’s nice to see those seniors play as well as they did tonight.”
On the struggles during the five minute power play:
“They are a good penalty killing team, and they have a good goaltender. The power play wasn’t needed, and we were able to win the game five on five tonight.”
On if the team is going in the right direction going into next week:
“We just have to have a good week of practice. If we play like we did tonight, play physical, and make good decisions with the puck, we will give ourselves a chance to win. Too many nights this year, like last night, you see how we didn’t really hit anybody during the game and we are not a very effective team when we don’t do that.”
On Frazee’s overall play tonight:
“Jeff (Frazee) did a good job tonight. He didn’t give up any easy goals; that’s what you want to have in your goaltender, and that’s what we have to have.