The key against a team like Wisconsin is to get the lead. You can't play catch-up against a team like that. They're just too strong and physically imposing. It was a tough day for the Beavers.

He's a natural-born leader. So we brought him in knowing he can think, knowing he can make plays. But he's one of those unsung heroes. He finishes checks, he blocks shots. He does a lot of the dirty work.

It'll be rocking. It's sold out. It'll be similar to playing in Grand Forks.

It's a different year and this is a different team. Obviously, you'd think the momentum from last year might carry over to this year. But you won't know that until you play the game. When you play a team like Wisconsin or Denver, getting the first goal and establishing your territory is critical.

When you have a five-minute power play and you don't get a shot on goal, that deflates you.

We're not intimidated. We know how good they are. But we're quietly confident we can play against them.

To be a good penalty killer, you've got to have some heart, too, and he's got that. He's a foot soldier. He takes a lot of pride in not giving up goals. He loves penalty killing. That just tells you what kind of player he is and what kind of kid he is.

We can't be tentative or passive. We have to play with passion.

You just hope if you're playing with energy it doesn't matter. We had no jump.

I sure didn't want to take the kid's dream away from him.