Dick Umile Quotations

When we were down 2-0 tonight, we were playing pretty well. The third goal was not very well played by us. The kid was out front all by himself. We dug ourselves a hole, that?s the disappointing part.

We?re still in control to get home ice. We don?t have to worry about somebody else doing it, we can do it. That?s what we?re playing for this weekend. We?d rather play here.

We had been playing well prior to our game with Boston U. We have to get it back because of the way Michigan State is playing.

Obviously we?re very disappointed by it all and now we?re focusing on getting prepared to play Friday night?s game without them. It?s how we do things. If one of us makes a mistake, we all suffer.

If we had won (Friday) I was certain that we would be in. It?s still up in the air at this point. A lot depends on what other teams do.

I give a lot of credit to Kevin Regan. It?s not easy to stay composed when you?re down 3-0. I was proud of the way the guys responded.

We?re playing well and that?s what I?m most pleased with. If we had won both games we?d have home ice no matter what Providence does. It makes it interesting.

I think the guys were just determined to win. I think this team was determined to get to Boston and compete for the championship.

I thought we played a solid game. Obviously this was an important win for us.

I think they started off a little sluggish this year, but they really put it together in the second half. When they don?t have the puck they?re very committed to defense. To get through the center zone and to the net - that?s going to be our challenge.

(Stafford) displays leadership on the ice and has a great passion for the game of hockey. He just made us all better by the way he played.

I think if we all stay healthy, we'll all keep going.

You let it go. You gotta let it go. This is a whole new season now.

We generated enough scoring opportunities. Obviously, I would have liked to have gotten a couple more.

We did some good things tonight. The team played hard.

We?re comfortable with both, so I don?t think it?s a tough decision. I?m very comfortable with both guys.

We have to come back here tomorrow and find a way to win a hockey game. There?s no question after all of this disappointment I think it?s brought our team together.

Brian?s playing well - that line is playing well. It?s been a solid line for us. There?s some good chemistry there, and it?s always about chemistry. They?re working well together.

There's no question they've done a lot for the league, the state of Maine, and the University of Maine. They're a big-time playoff hockey program.

It was a huge save at that point.

The team deserved this win. They played hard, and this is a tough place to play - as we all know. The guys played a real solid game.

That?s how it goes. The first half I?m in their face about defensive responsibilities, where they?re supposed to go. Now they have it figured out. They know how they have to play. They just have to relax and make plays. I believe that will happen with the younger guys.

That's Maine; they don't quit. They stayed with it, and obviously it got a little nerve-racking there. But the fact of the matter is that the guys played a real solid game. We are real pleased with our effort.

They?re strong down low on the boards. They?re just playing a good overall game of hockey.

They're very skilled. They've changed from last year. They had Greene, who beat up everybody and intimidated everybody. He was a big force out there. They're a skill team this year. They're not just coming in and physically pounding you this year.

A lot of crazy things happen here. I am thinking after the first period that we played great and now we got a delay with the zamboni. I was like, 'You got to be kidding me. What else can go wrong when we come up here?' I said, 'We might not even be able to finish this game.' I was a wreck.

They knew it came down to a 20-minute game going into the third period and the guys came out and played terrific. It puts us back into the national picture, but most importantly we?re playing well going into the playoffs.

They're a good team. They've got some good hockey players.

It's early in the season and we know what they can do for us.

It was a wild finish, no doubt about it. It was great for the fans, but I don?t know about the coaches.

It?s a key part of the game. Obviously it puts you on offense or defense. It can be the difference.

It's very disappointing. Obviously, I'm very disappointed in the decision that they made. I believe they now are disappointed in themselves. But the fact of the matter is they made that decision and it's one they've got to live with.

It's going to make us a better team.

Daniel developed into one of the top power forwards in the league. We all wish him continued success with his professional hockey career.

The biggest thing we have to do is not get ourselves behind like we did our last two outings with them. We came back to win down in Boston, and again fell behind 3-0 in our own building. The start of the game will be important for us.

The addition of Vermont has made the league even deeper, and that makes getting home ice even more important. This is a league where you want the other team coming to your place.

It was an important comeback for us. Who knows what that point will mean at the end, but it was important not to give up two (points) and get that tie.

They came forward, and I'm making the decision. It's obviously one I don't want to make, but it makes no difference whether we're going to play Maine or we're playing a non-league game, we'll be disciplined accordingly. That's how we've done it, regardless of who we're playing, or what it means, or whether it's on TV or not.

I'm afraid it's something we're going to have to deal with more. I think they should stay four years and get their education, but I'm biased. Even if a player goes pro after two or three years, he's made you a better program. They can come back and get their degrees. It's better to have them for two or three years than not at all. It makes recruiting more complicated.

I don?t mind being the underdog. I?m just excited to be in the tournament. It?s not always easy to get in and I think sometimes people take it for granted.