Alan was the consummate defensive-defenseman for our team, and in my opinion, one of the best at doing that in the entire USHL. He was matched against other team's top lines, he was our best penalty killer, he led our team in blocked shots...he did everything for us. I'm happy and proud that he'll get to move on to a great college hockey program. |
Especially this time of year, you have to capitalize on special teams. |
Everyone was looking around the room for someone else to do it and someone else doesn't play for our team. I think it took close to a month for some other guys to reassert themselves. |
For all the things we've went through for the past few years and for people doubting what we could do, this year's with another hockey team in town and to come back and do this I couldn't be happier. |
I initially knew it would be a tough series; we never ran away from them in the regular season, so I don't expect to in this one. |
I like that we used our home ice to our advantage. We got off to a fast start and the crowd really got into it. They helped carry us through. |
I like where we are at right now. |
I think each one of them has certainly earned it. The better your team does, the more notoriety you are going to get. The guys who have made the all-star game, they put in the hard work for it, but should be just as thankful toward their teammates. Without good players around you, you don't get to excel like that. |
I think it hurt us number one from a leadership standpoint because John was our captain and Al . . . was a quiet leader with his effort he'd give every day. It hurt us defensively losing two experienced guys like that. Unfortunately, it coincided with the time we went through a slump. Whether that was part of it or not, I'm not sure. |
I'm the poorest loser there is. |
If we go into the third period down 2-1, I like our chances. But a lot of games come down to two or three plays this time of year, and those guys made them tonight. |
It was a win that we needed. |
It was just a matter of Chicago being more prepared to play tonight. We've stressed all year that we have to take it game-by-game. |
It was just a matter of getting to the net and getting shots. |
It's a nice individual accolade if he can get it. |