Brian Courtmanche Quotations

I believe that this is a team that can play with anyone in the state. We're not afraid to go out there and challenge other teams. Unfortunately, today we fell behind early and that's never good. I think that we were a little off and it showed from the other night. And, quite frankly, the breaks just don't seem to be going our way. The pucks aren't quite finding their way onto sticks when they should and shots are going just wide.

Hunter is cool and calm. He's been our leader.

I thought that we had a very good effort today. We knew coming in that Notre Dame would get its share of penalties. And, because our power play has been so effective this year (a close to 50-percent completion rate), we figured that we'd get some goals that way. But, again, it goes back to the bounces and the luck. We need to find a little.

I think that our kids are beginning to realize what its like playing Division I hockey. They're beginning to realize that every game is important. That playing three consistent periods and playing hard right to the end makes the difference between a win like this and a bad loss like the one we suffered to Tri-Town.

We're really looking forward to the Prep game. After all, they have the premier hockey program in Connecticut. But I've warned the guys that we have five games to play before then. It's way too dangerous to look too far ahead.

We've been good friends for a long time. I've been here for three years now, so those seniors were the last group that I had contact with.

This was a great learning experience for us. We knew coming in that they were in a must-win situation. It's great to think that for two of those three periods we played toe-to-toe hockey with a team that one of the area's perennial powers.

This was real big for us. Now, we're 4-3. This could very well be the turning point in our season.

We had our moments where I thought we were going to put this one away. Then West Haven would come right back. When you're in need of a win big time like they were, those things will happen.

It's amazing how successful we've been on the power play. I'd like to see us play a little better when we're five-on-five. But these two wins have been great. We're beating quality teams. North Branford isn't just a good team, they're a top-ten (New Haven Register hockey poll) team.

I've got to give the credit to Eric in these last two games. He's not the most technically sound goaltender that you'll find around, but he's an athlete, and a competitor. He's quick and he's a winner. He hates to lose. He'll do whatever it takes to win. I love him.

After that loss to Tri-Town (6-2 on Jan. 4), we went back to basics, right from conditioning on up through. I think that our kids realized the depth of the loss to Tri-Town. They realized how badly they were outplayed.

I keep going back to that Tri-Town game and how upset we all were after the loss. It was a reality check for this team. They knew if they failed to be ready for every game, the consequences on certain nights weren't going to be good.

I know that this loss really hurt them. But, that's hockey. We needed to win. To keep this going. They're a good group (Lyman Hall) and, like us they're young. I'm rooting for them the rest of the way. It would be good for hockey statewide if they're able to come back and qualify for the state tournament.

I'm an emotional coach. I put my heart into it. I think it shows. And I know that our kids recognize that. We're not going into this game (against West Haven) taking them the least bit lightly. Look at their schedule and how they play. They'll be ready for us. We need to be ready for them.