YALE UNIVERSITY

Semifinal Game 1

Postgame Quotes

  

#20 Jesse Root, Jr., C, Pittsburgh, Pa.

On showing perseverance in the final minutes of the game.

“We knew we had to be patient offensively. [UMASS Lowell] is a great defensive team and a great team all the way around. [The game-winning goal] wasn’t going to be the first shot that was going to go in. We were actually kind of surprised the first two went in on [Connor Hellebuyck]. We stayed with it, we stayed the course, they got two quick ones (goals), and we knew that if we just kept shooting it would come for us.”

On the bench’s mood when UMASS Lowell tied the score.

“It’s happened so much in hockey, we’ve all been a part of it for so long, playing the game for so long. We knew if we kept playing our game and just stuck to our game plan, the mood would never get real down.”

On returning to Pittsburgh to play in his hometown.

“Warm-ups were pretty surreal, just looking around and being in the [Pittsburgh] Penguins’ arena. As a huge Penguins fan still, it’s pretty incredible.”

#33 Jeff Malcolm, Sr., G, Lethbridge, Alberta

On trying to stay sharp during a slow first few periods

“Well I’ve been in a lot of situations like that this year so I just got into my routine in the game playing the next shot, the next play that comes my way so I’m just always ready for that next play.”

On whether or not he started to feel things slip during UMass’s comeback

“Absolutely not. I think we’ve done a pretty good job mentally throughout this season. We’ve battled back from those types of situations before, so like I said before we just have to focus on the next play and we got the balance again.”

On how to stay focused between now and the finals knowing what’s at hand

“Obviously we’re going to enjoy it for maybe ten minutes here and then get a meal in us, focus, have a good practice tomorrow and go into the championship game.”