Coach Stothers Postgame Quotes After Monarchs Game 2 Win

We will have our usual analysis and game highlights article posted later. Jordan Weal’s postgame quotes were already posted here following his two goal performance in the Monarchs 5-2 victory over the visiting Penguins in Game 2. Below is what Manchester coach Mike Stothers after his team secured a 2-0 series lead with their victory on home ice Thursday night…

On the overall game:

“Different maybe in the score, but very similar in how hard it is to find any space out there. Again, it was a good hockey game. I was real pleased with the way we came out early. We looked like we had some energy, which I think was important. Even if you don’t have it, you have to try and show that you do. There was that flurry there that was just going back and forth for two teams who were defensive minded. That’s what good teams do. We score, they score. I think this match-up is tremendous. I’ve got the utmost respect for Wilkes-Barre and the way they play. I like the way they play.”

On what the team must do to win on the road, as the action will shift to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the next three games:

“Well, we’ve gotta go in there thinking the series is 0-0. Two games mean nothing. I found that out in the first round. I’m sure they’re not over there feeling sorry for themselves. They’ve been very good at home, they’ve got a good hockey club. Both of these games could have gone either way. There’s a lot to be played for. We’ll travel there tomorrow, and get ready for Saturday.”

On his expectations for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at home:

“Well, they’ll get their match-ups they want to get with the last change. I’m sure they’ll have some energy form their building and the hometown crowd. As I said, they’ve been very good at home. We’ve been in there twice this year. They were one goal games, if I remember correctly. It’s not going to be any different. It’s going to be tough, tough hockey.”

On the resiliency of his team:

“You know what? We have done it. I just like the approach. We stay pretty focused and determined on what we need to do. You’ve got a guy like O’Neill, that as he said to me as he put it towards an empty net and there was an icing from the defensive zone, he comes to the bench and goes, ‘Probably could have made a better decision.’ Yeah. But it’s how he responds. How does he respond? Puts it in the empty net. When you’ve got character people like that, good leaders, it’s a good approach to have. I look at their team. They’ve got Kostopoulos, if I’m pronouncing his name wrong, I apologize, don’t ask me to spell it, but he’s a great leader. He’s a great captain. That’s what this game’s all about is having people like that – character people. Guys that know how to win and how to lead a team. That’s what I think is a great match-up right there.”

ICYMI: Adrian Kempe talks Jordan Weal and a few of his new Monarchs teammates (link)

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