Men's Hockey

Wisconsin vs. Merrimack Quotes

Coach and player quotes

Men's Hockey

Wisconsin vs. Merrimack Quotes

Coach and player quotes


Head coach Tony Granato
On how the team played after shuffling lines
"They did fine. We've basically had the same lines for quite some time now, so when you have 10 days to practice, the day for changing lines is early in the week to get used to each other. It was a little bit of a scramble. I think our guys feel compatible with each other and there is enough crossover in the season that it shouldn't be that big of a deal. I was happy with them. I thought there were parts of that game where we got a little flat and I think they were able to frustrate us with that clogged up neutral zone play they were effective with in the second period especially. It's something we'll have to be ready for and be better at tomorrow. The pace of the game to start the game was outstanding by us – I thought we came out great. We go the two goals obviously – the one got disallowed – but we were in pretty good control of that game all the way through the first. I think we tried to keep that momentum going in the second with that change they made. They slowed the game down and they were able to get back in it."
 
On playing "60-minute hockey"
"We could have made improvements in the second period especially. That was the period that they got back in. The start was great but let's give them credit, they're a pretty good team, very similar to other East Coast teams like Clarkson and St. Lawrence. Their neutral-zone play was good – a lot better than ours in the second period. I think there are things we can do better tomorrow to be more effective and use our speed a little better. We'll work on that in the morning with some clips. Hopefully we can play a more complete game but the other team did a really good job of getting back in the game by slowing it down."
 
On Ryan Wagner's play
"He got the one assist on the first two goals but he was responsible for both of them. He caused a turnover and he was a great F-3 in the offensive zone. He caused that turnover and gave Luke (Kunin) that great chance and he and (Grant) Besse got behind their defense. On the second one (power-play goal), the goalie never saw it. He's not a big man, he knows how to position himself in front of the net. I don't think our power play has been as sharp as its been at different points of the season but we were still able to get two big goals out of it.
 
On where Trent Frederic is missed the most
"He's mister do-everything-for-you. When you have a player like him, where he does everything so well, every time there is a critical situation in a game,you push them over the boards. Tonight Seamus Malone took a lot of that responsibility. I thought he was great on face offs; he did a phenomenal job defensively. He's going to take on some of that responsibility. You don't want to give it all to him because he already does so much for us. But Trent has been outstanding since the first shift of his college career. When he goes out of your line-up you have to make the change with your lines but also for critical situations in games where someone else is going to be thrown over the boards.  
 
On getting off to a 6-3 start to the season
"Obviously we wanted to get off to a good start and we did. I think we've established ourselves in a lot of different areas. We're a very exciting team to watch. I would love to see more people at this games to appreciate some of the plays these guys are making. We have so many guys that make plays that hockey fans love to see. Like that (Jake) Linhart blocked shot with 20 seconds to go in the game. He put his body on the line to make a huge block. We've done a lot of exciting things to start. The 6-3 record is a good start and I think the team itself is a fun team to be watching. I know there are a lot of different events going on for our Wisconsin supporters to see right now but I think when we get into the Big Ten schedule and people see our team they are going to come back. The fans are going to come back. The excitement is there for the students that are here. We'll keep playing the same way and when they come back I think they'll like what they see."
 
On Luke Kunin's attacking play
"Any team we can get him the puck to shoot is a success. I think he's got as good a shot I've ever seen. You compared him to Ovechkin and when he gets to the NHL he will be compared a lot to Ovechkin and Stamkos as the two guys that come to mind when I see him shoot the puck. Any time we can set him up with a little time we're going to let him shoot it. Tonight we did a pretty good job of allowing that to happen. Their goalie made a couple really big plays to guard against him. If those are available to him he should take them all the time."
 
On generating more on power plays
"We weren't that sharp on the power plays. I think there were plays available to made that we didn't execute so I think once they see that on film there are some things we can do tomorrow that will free up some time to shoot when we do get our chances. We talked about switching lines and it affects the power plays as well – those guys didn't get as much time as we would have like to get acquainted. That's a little bit of an adjustment period as well."

Ryan Wagner, Jr., Forward
On coming back from the break and having a good start:
"Yeah, we had a great start. The first shift is a big one and tonight it went our way. And you have to build from that. We had 12 days off, so it's a lot of on ice, video, and stuff like that with the coaches. I thought we got the start we wanted and we just need to keep building off of that."
On big effort plays and the team's hunger to win:
"Yes … I've been here two years and the past two years haven't gone quite the way we wanted them too. Those are definitely learning experiences that we have gone through. This year, new coaches coming in, everyone's hungry to win. We want to be there in Chicago come April. And that's what we're fighting for."
On his headfirst dive into the boards for a play:
"Yeah, that was an instinct play. Do whatever it takes. I was tired from a long shift. I didn't really want to stay out there much longer. I'm more of a hazard if I stay out there … so I was just doing whatever it takes."
On getting his stick on the pass to set up Luke Kunin's first goal and forechecking:
"Coach has stressed a lot that as soon as we turn the puck over, we want it on our sticks as fast as we can. Over our 12 days here, we've actually worked on a drill where you go to the net hard and he blows the whistle and you've got to backcheck to prevent the other team from breaking out as fast as you can. Get it to the point, get it back. I mean it was a lucky bounce and thank god (Luke) Kunin was able to bury it."
 
Cameron Hughes, Jr., Forward
On changes in the lines tonight:
"There are a lot of quick learners up front, so it doesn't really matter who you're playing with. A lot of smart players, a lot of skilled players. A lot of guys bring different things. The shuffle was kind of different, but it doesn't really matter. In our case, we have so many different guys that can play at a high level."
On Berry's play in goal:
"Yeah, it was pretty impressive for a freshman. He's been unreal. To get him another win and another good performance from him is nice."
On the power play needing some time to warm up:
"I think the fact that we have been doing pretty well and we have created good looks. We still scored two goals and we feel like we can do more. We're getting the chances and we're getting the looks. That's what really matters. We'll be ready to go tomorrow."
 
Max Zimmer, Fr., Forward
On scoring his first goal at Wisconsin:
"Obviously, it was a great feeling. Went nine games and finally put one home. That opportunity wouldn't have happened without a great pass from (Dan) Labosky across the crease. I looked up and saw the wide open net and I tried to put her in the net."
On who saved the puck for him:
"I think I saw (Dan) Labosky go back for it."
On quickly adjusting to Trent Frederic not playing tonight:
"Yeah, it was tough. Kind of going off what Cameron (Hughes) said, we have a lot of skilled guys in the locker room. You know at practice every day, you're not necessarily doing every drill with just your linemates, so me and all of the guys in the locker room in every single guy out there and we're able to go out there and play with whoever coach puts us with."
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Players Mentioned

Cameron Hughes

#19 Cameron Hughes

F
6' 0"
Junior
BOS
Luke Kunin

#9 Luke Kunin

F
6' 0"
Sophomore
MIN
Seamus Malone

#18 Seamus Malone

F
5' 10"
Sophomore
Ryan Wagner

#13 Ryan Wagner

F
5' 8"
Junior
Max Zimmer

#22 Max Zimmer

F
6' 0"
Freshman
CAR
Trent Frederic

#34 Trent Frederic

F
6' 2"
Freshman
BOS

Players Mentioned

Cameron Hughes

#19 Cameron Hughes

6' 0"
Junior
BOS
F
Luke Kunin

#9 Luke Kunin

6' 0"
Sophomore
MIN
F
Seamus Malone

#18 Seamus Malone

5' 10"
Sophomore
F
Ryan Wagner

#13 Ryan Wagner

5' 8"
Junior
F
Max Zimmer

#22 Max Zimmer

6' 0"
Freshman
CAR
F
Trent Frederic

#34 Trent Frederic

6' 2"
Freshman
BOS
F