2008 Woodie Awards
INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM
Captain Smith '05.5 calls for Friday white-out
Tom McCann, Sports Editor
Issue date: 3/2/06 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 4 next >
The Campus: How did you turn things around against Wesleyan last weekend?
Jeff Smith: Well, it was a slow first period - we only had four or five shots, and that was like a wake-up call that they were for real and it's the playoffs and we could possibly be done for the whole season if we lose. I think that kinda hit home big time after the first period - something was just clicking - Gilchrist and LaFreniere had a couple of really big goals - they had four goals combined, I think, in the second period. They were playing together for the first time and maybe we'll keep them together - if they can keep rolling, we'll see.
TC: Was that something Coach Beaney was trying for the first time?
JS: Yeah, well usually Gilchrist and McKenna play together but McKenna was injured somehow - with a head problem or something - so LaFreniere played up with Gilchrist.
TC: Can we expect to see McKenna this weekend?
JS: I think he would expect to play - I know he's not 100 percent right now, but I think he could play.
TC: Can you describe what it felt like to come out to play for the National Championships in your own arena last year?
JS: It was unbelievable. After a shakier year than usual, we pulled off the NESCACs at Trinity and then to be in the position where we didn't even get to host NESCACs and then we're hosting NCAAs was pretty unbelievable. I mean, to win on our home ice - especially that 5-0 game, it's something else - just like, everything was clicking - the gods were with us or something.
TC: Who's the biggest threat to your three-peat?
JS: A slew of teams - I mean, just getting out of NESCACs would be one thing. I mean, if Bowdoin, Trinity, Hamilton come to play, they're all good teams and they all want us - everyone wants the top dogs for sure, so we've got to be ready to play, obviously. If we get out of the NESCACs, St. Norbert's are always a stellar team and they've been right at the doorstep the last two or three years - there's a bunch of teams this year.
Jeff Smith: Well, it was a slow first period - we only had four or five shots, and that was like a wake-up call that they were for real and it's the playoffs and we could possibly be done for the whole season if we lose. I think that kinda hit home big time after the first period - something was just clicking - Gilchrist and LaFreniere had a couple of really big goals - they had four goals combined, I think, in the second period. They were playing together for the first time and maybe we'll keep them together - if they can keep rolling, we'll see.
TC: Was that something Coach Beaney was trying for the first time?
JS: Yeah, well usually Gilchrist and McKenna play together but McKenna was injured somehow - with a head problem or something - so LaFreniere played up with Gilchrist.
TC: Can we expect to see McKenna this weekend?
JS: I think he would expect to play - I know he's not 100 percent right now, but I think he could play.
TC: Can you describe what it felt like to come out to play for the National Championships in your own arena last year?
JS: It was unbelievable. After a shakier year than usual, we pulled off the NESCACs at Trinity and then to be in the position where we didn't even get to host NESCACs and then we're hosting NCAAs was pretty unbelievable. I mean, to win on our home ice - especially that 5-0 game, it's something else - just like, everything was clicking - the gods were with us or something.
TC: Who's the biggest threat to your three-peat?
JS: A slew of teams - I mean, just getting out of NESCACs would be one thing. I mean, if Bowdoin, Trinity, Hamilton come to play, they're all good teams and they all want us - everyone wants the top dogs for sure, so we've got to be ready to play, obviously. If we get out of the NESCACs, St. Norbert's are always a stellar team and they've been right at the doorstep the last two or three years - there's a bunch of teams this year.