They're obviously a battle-tested team and we knew coming into here that they're a big-game program. Their experience I thought was a factor. They got the jump on us before we could settle down. This was a learning game for us and hopefully we can take it to the next level.
Teams have to have good seniors and they have to have multiple players contribute at this time of the year. We had that.
If you think back to the stretch where we got beat up so much as a team our best line was our fourth line. Kind of the rallying cry around this team was that line and how they've played.
The nice thing about our team right now is we don't have to change anything. We're not going to adjust our lineup. We're not going to change what we're doing.
We've played them fairly recently and know what they are. They're a big, strong team that is physical, and their goalie, Wylie Rogers, is playing outstanding.
A.J. did not meet the expectations for a student-athlete in the ice hockey program at MSU. It was in the program's best interest to dismiss him from the team immediately. Despite parting at this time, I certainly wish A.J. well in his hockey career.
I still think we can score more. We've got guys that haven't gotten hot yet. We haven't played our best hockey yet. I don't think we've reached our peak as a team by any means.
We beat the two teams ranked third and sixth in the country.
You can't became a good team easily. And this one did.
This was a tremendously hard-fought game. The game had great speed and intensity, and the referee decided to let the teams play. We have won a lot of close games, so this was not unusual for us.
If there?s on thing that characterizes this team it?s finding a way to win.
They're an older, bigger, stronger team, and those teams have given us a little bit of trouble at times because we're a younger team.
I'm proudest of the fact that this team doesn't quit. To come back when you're down two in the third period when they're playing that well, that's tough to do.
I thought we played really well. You don't beat a quality team like Michigan without playing very, very well.
Any top-level team has to have an offensive catalyst on defense, and that's something we've lacked since John-Michael Liles graduated (in 2002). We recruited Tyler because wanted him to run the power play, but it took some time.
You always like to control your own destiny and we do that by playing teams that we need to beat.
This team is completely the new one. Last year's team was the end of the carryover. I think the group of seniors last year wished they had played for Ron.
This team has worked their tails off and I'm proud of them. They feel good right now and they should.
This is a team that's needed validation and it's earning respect. It's all very encouraging. I don't think we've come close to peaking yet. We can get better.
They play a left wing lock, they don't give up much. You better be careful against them. These two teams will match up very well.