Michigan State 3, Nebraska-Omaha 0
11/5/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 5, 2009
Michigan State Head Coach Rick Comley
On whether tonight's game was the best overall team performance all season...
No I don't think so. I thought [Goalie Drew Palmisano] played really well. I thought we played steady. I thought we broke down at times from what we're trying to do and did some things that we didn't quite get burned on but we were close a couple of times. I would not say it was our best game. It was okay, I thought it was steady. I think we can play better for sure.
On Sophomore Goalie Drew Palmisano making his job in goal seem easy...
That's when you know a goalie is playing well. His ability to play the puck really helps us. He's very active; he comes out the puck, he beats pressure, he helps the defensemen out a lot. He had a couple of really good saves. One short-handed save in the second [period] that was really good. He's a very good goalie and now he is getting games under his belt.
On what a shutout does for the confidence of a goalie...
He'd just like to know that he can do it. If you win 3-0 or 3-1, I'm not sure how much that means to a goalie.
On whether he will start Palmisano in goal and insert new players for tomorrow night's game against UNO...
I don't know for sure. There's about four guys I'd like to get in there, but I'm just not sure. It's hard, you want to get people in [goal], because we have other kids that are playing good enough to play. It's just a question of now, with all that we have ahead of us, we've got to do everything we can to win every game we play. I'll have to sleep on it and decide.
On having a smoother third period than in games past...
We did a better job of not trying to get big hits in the third period. And we played a little bit better under control. They were coming at us so they're going to get some shots on you, but a lot of them were perimeter shots. I didn't mind the third period.
On the play from his fourth line...
Their ability to control the puck and make the other team play at their goal. And [Forward Dean] Chelios has so much patience with the puck. They've done a nice job for us.
On Junior defenseman Jeff Petry's performance...
He's always prominent, you always notice him all the time. And [defenseman Torey] Krug compliments him so well. I thought they moved the puck well. That's one thing we do so much better, is move the puck.
On Junior forward Andrew Rowe's play...
He played really well on the penalty kill. He and [Junior forward Dustin] Gazley I thought played very well.
On what impresses him about his young team at this point in the season...
Well I think they buy in [to our system of play]. We have a long way to go, but they are handling it well. It's kind of a tough game atmosphere-wise. You've got to come out and build your own game-mood. And for a young team sometimes that can be hard. But again, they're buying in, there's a long way to go but they are buying in.
On seeing his team mature and learn to play their system of play...
I didn't think it was as good of a game system-wise as it was on Saturday. I think we defended well after breaking down up ice. We had to defend too much on the rush.
On how he sees the development of the offense...
Not much was expected out of [the offense] so it's hard to say. This team has potential, I guess I have to let it evolve and see where it goes.
On what he wants to improve on and see done better at tomorrow night's game...
I want to see us really play our system. That's the absolute key. It's not one player or one line [that makes the difference], it's the system. They can't break down, because one little breakdown and it disrupts everything else. The reason we are better offensively is because we're better defensively and we're better defensively is because of the system we're playing. We escaped some breakdowns [tonight]. When you see a forward jumping at the puck as it's leaving their zone, we're breaking down. We form a wedge and come back through the middle, defending the middle, and push the puck outside and let the [defense] defend it outside. So if a team is coming down the middle at us, then we've broken down. They system is much better than any player we have in that locker room, that's what they have to believe in.
On whether tonight was Palmisano's best night in goal so far this season...
He's been pretty good. These last three games he's been pretty darn good. But the first couple he was not as good. I think [Senior Goalie Bobby Jarosz] has challenged him and pushed him and he's reacted real positively. I think when I didn't play [Palmisano] at Miami that Friday, I think that was an eye opener for both goalies. We've just got to keep working, keep plugging away.
Michigan State Junior Winger Corey Tropp
On his scoring streak...
Well, obviously my linemates are making it easy. They are doing a good job of getting me the puck and I've been fortunate to put the passes I've been getting in the net.
On being more confident with his shot now...
That is what we practice for. Me personally, instead of staying out after practice, I like to get out there before with the fresh ice. It's pretty beat up after. There are a handful of us that like to get there before and some go after.
On the playing their new system and what they have to work on...
I think at times, we are really good. In the third period we made a couple mistakes and got caught with three guys down low. I think that happened three or four times and in a tight game situation we have to be a lot better than that. But, we were still fortunate to get the shutout for Palmy (Drew Palmisano).
On what he like about the game tonight...
I thought all four lines contributed. Definitely the Walrod-Hayes-Chelios line did a good job. There were a couple shifts where they had good possession down low and grinded. Every team needs a line that can grind down low and wear out their defense.
On not having a third period with just a one-goal lead...
Sometimes going into the third period with a lead like we had tonight can hurt you because you come out flat in the third. We addressed that in the locker room before the third that we needed to stay focused and the last four or five games we really put ourselves in a bind in the last five or 10 minutes of the third. We stressed staying out of the box and playing smart.
On his goal...
I was actually looking for more of a pass. Their defense did a good job of taking the passing lanes away and making it difficult. So, I kind of bought time and looked around was fortunate to actually have a lot of time and then I scanned the net to see where I wanted to try and put the puck. I was fortunate to actually put it where I wanted it.
Michigan State Sophomore Goalie Drew Palmisano
On whether not playing in the Friday game against Miami sparked him...
I would say it gave me a wakeup call that Bobby was there and playing well. Going against the number one team in the country, you definitely want to be on the ice and helping the team get a win. When I was not in Friday night I knew I had to do something good Saturday night.
On the game in general...
We started out pretty quick, got a quick goal, which got us the lead. It is always easier playing with the lead instead of being down or tied, and it forces them into making offensive plays and we took advantage of it. We had a lot of plays down in there zone, and it made my job easier. I was not to busy, and when I was it was not point blank shots, it was shots of from the outskirts and shots I had to control my rebounds.
On being relaxed in goal...
It was definitely one of those games where you feel a lot better sliding back and forth and when you see the puck a little better. I have been that way for about a couple weeks now and hopefully it keeps up.
On number of shots keeping him in the game...
The more shots, especially from out where you can control it, or where I have a chance to get out and play it helps keep me in the game.
On saves in the 2nd period and seeing the shots...
When they had their power play, it was more positional saves - slide over and hope it hits you and control your rebound. But also the defense did block a lot of shots - (Matt) Crandell and (Zach) Josepher slid over and made that toe save for me.
On the break away in the second period...
Just why is there a break away when we are on the power play? Those things happen once in a while and you have to help your team out and make the save.
