Left-Winger J.J. Crew

On coming out strong this year:

"I think with being a freshman you have to get used to the league, get used to your teammates. But this year, now that I got that under my belt, it comes a little bit easier. I'm a little more patient with the puck, more poise, and it allows me to get more scoring opportunities."

On offseason preparation:

"Just worked out a lot, tried to gain some more weight, which is really necessary for me since I'm small. I tried to come back as strong as I can."\

On last hat trick:

"I'd have to go back to midget hockey, probably like three years ago. It's a little different at this level, a little harder to get goals so I'm pleased and I'm happy we got the win too."

"The second one I felt go off my skate, I thought I scored right away, but everyone went over to Greg and celebrated with him so I was like whatever, I'm just happy we scored."

On opening with a non-conference opponent:

"They had three games under their belts I think, so we were just anxious to get out there and play. That showed in the first period. We were very consistent. I think playing these teams, since we have tough teams in our conference, is going to help a lot."

On Mercyhurt goalie:

"To get 35 shots and for him to give up a few going into the third period was huge on his part, he played really well. Game plan was to keep shooting and crash the net."

WMU Goaltender Riley Gill:

On the overall effort:

"I think they came at us hard in the third period, a couple times in the second. Obviously, their best chances came on the power play, they had a lot of talent on their first line and we were lucky to keep them off the score sheet."

On opening with a non-conference opponent:

"I think it's a good warm-up for us, especially for how competitive our conference is. They're a good team. They were one game away from the NCAA tournament last year and they can put some w's up on the scoreboard. We gotta come back with a better effort tomorrow, and find a way to get a win."

On only facing seven shots in the first two periods:

"Yeah, it is hard. First period, you're hyped up, first game, you got the adrenaline flowing. But we played great and I won't complain about that any day of the week. We came out in the first period with a lot of jump in our step, and it's good to see that."

On killing off the 5-on-3:

"We only had a two goal lead at the time and if they get one there in the 5-on-3 it's a one-goal game, so the whole team beared down there in the 5-on-3 and got some key blocks and got the kills."

On the freshman defensemen:

"I think they played great. Tough team to play against the first game of the season here, especially with one of the defenseman starting. All of them played great. A couple of them add some big size to the blue line and they'll have a good career here at Western."

Head Coach Jim Culhane:

On the overall effort:

"I thought it was a solid effort overall. I think we played a complete game, and I said to the guys after the game I liked the way we played with a lot of energy throughout the entire hockey game. When they got the 5-on-3, I thought that was a real momentum boost for them and they were really taking their play to us then. That was real critical we were able to get that kill. You look at your upperclassmen, Clackson's out there taking some key face-offs, Collins on the blue line for us, another senior, and Riley's play in net. Our first goal tonight, we got something to build off."

On the offensive attack:

'You want to get pucks in traffic, to the net and we were able to do that tonight. Every time you get pucks to the net, you give yourself an opportunity to get some goals."

On the freshman defenseman:

"It's a good start for them. They're still a very young group back there and I think it gives them the opportunity where something positive happens for them in a game situation. There's some things we can take from the game that we can show them, things that they've done well and things we can show them."

On J.J. Crew:

"I think JJ had a real strong second half for us last year. He was a young guy as a freshman coming through and learning the way through the league. I thought he had a real solid second half to the year with his linemates, Jared Katz at center, and Kyle O'Kane there on the right side. We were looking for that. We lost Galivan, we lost the leading scorer in the CCHA off that left wing with Campbell and Squires. We need someone to come in and obviously, that was a great night for JJ and the goals he put in."

On Riley Gill:

"Riley's steady, he's a calming influence. With three freshman defenseman, it gives the Coach some sleepless nights nervous with the young guys on the blue line, but you have Riley in net and he's done a great job for us. He's someone who plays with a lot of composure. The best part of his game tonight was that 5-on-3."

On three freshman combining for the final goal:

"It was great, it was the first career goal for Dean, so it's great for those guys. It was a good team effort. I think everybody should be pleased with the way everyone contributed to  the win."

On the power-play:

"Our special teams are still a work in progress. Overall, we scored a couple power play goals, we didn't give up any. As a coach, anytime you have a night like that with your team, you're going to be pleased."

On what can improve:

"I think there's some teachable moments in there. We'll watch tape tonight and again tomorrow. We'll do some one-on-one stuff.  I thought at times we made some rush plays coming out of our own zone, maybe not a strong play, resulting in a turnover. I think that's something we'll be able to show them tomorrow. I thought we made strong plays with the puck, but there were some instances in our own zone where we could have made a better play."