The Monarchs were behind and all night in Game 3 losing to Utica by a score of 3-2. Adrian Kempe had two goals for the Monarchs and goaltender J.F. Berube was injured in the first period and did not return. After the game, Head Coach Mike Stothers shared the following thoughts…
On if the crowd and atmosphere was like what he told his players it would be:
“Every bit so, yeah. A few of us had the luxury of being here for the All Star Game and they were that loud during the skills competition. They followed it up with the same kind of boisterousness during the game. We knew what to expect.”
On the team’s response to losing O’Neill and Berube:
“I thought our team responded extremely well. It was a tough way to start. We got out-shot in the first period and we lost two guys from our regular lineup. But we stuck with it, we battled hard and we out-shot them from the second period on I think.”
On a scale of 1-10, 10 being most critical, how do the loses of Berube and O’Neill rank:
“One is the MVP of the league and the other guy won 37 games, so they’re pretty important.”
On if J.F. Berube is injured:
“That’s why he left. If you guys want an injury update I’ll get you one. I have a migraine from the asinine questions you guys ask about injuries. So put me down for migraine on your injury report.”
On playing Nick Shore on the top line:
“Shoresy got double shifted. Played a lot of hockey tonight, you try to fill in where you can.”
On staying in the game even after losing to key players:
“I thought we played well. We got off to a shaky start. The environment was hostile, so you’ve got to weather the storm. We knew that, we figure the first ten minutes were going to be hard fought, and they were. I thought we played extremely well as the game went on. I think we got better and better.”
On Adrian Kempe’s performance:
“That is what we should be talking about. A young guy that got a couple of goals for us here tonight, that’s incredible. I think he’s elevated his game. Sometimes you look for guys to step up in the playoffs and he did a great job for us. He’s been a real pleasant surprise, he just keeps improving. He seems to be fitting in real well.”
On Kempe adapting to the team and the North American game:
“He’s got a high-skill set. He is a great skater and his vision is very good. He compliments whomever he plays with. We’ve got some centermen that are pretty good and because of his hockey IQ and his skating ability he can be very helpful to our lineup. He contributed in a big way tonight.”
On why Jordan Weal’s frustration:
“I’ve seen Wealer all year and I have never seen him frustrated.”
On if the hostile environment makes it more important to have a better start:
“It would be nice to get the first one. But if we don’t, should we just skate off the ice? Not finish out the game? Teams score first, that’s what happens. You guys make such a big deal about it. It is just a goal. You just keep moving on. You get down by two, you just keep playing. That’s what we do and that’s what we’ve done all season long.”
On the toughest part of Utica’s team to defend against:
“Well it’s a good team. We’ve played three games against them now and any one of the games could have gone in any direction. The first two were in overtime; tonight was a one-goal game. It’s a good hockey club. They’ve got a good goalie, defensemen that can move the puck, defensemen that can get up the ice and skate and join the attack and they’ve got some pretty good forwards. I think you’re seeing probably what should have happened. Two pretty good teams in the Final.”
MORE GAME 3 COVERAGE:
ANALYSIS: Injuries Mount, Monarchs Lose Game 3 In Utica
CCF Game 3: Patrik Bartosak Quotes
CCF Game 3, Andrew Bodnarchuk Comments
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the two injuries sucked, and I HOPE we are not talking long term (although back-to-back games on FRI and SAT can’t possibly be a GOOD thing for those two guys.) – Stothers has every right to be pissed at stupid questions, and has every right to be pleased for a guy like Kempe. As for Weal, your reporter once “reported” that he was “devastated” over his recall, and not suiting up for the Kings. I think losing any ground in a final Calder Cup series is far more devastating, yet as Stothers says, “I’ve seen Wealer all year and I have never seen him frustrated.” – Character guy. Will play (and play well) in the NHL.