Thanks to the Flyers PR department for the transcript below.
Penguins left wing James Neal
Q: [Inaudible]
“Yeah, I’m flying through the neutral zone. I’m regrouping. I didn’t even mean to hit him [Couturier]. I don’t even know if the puck was at his feet or not or where it was. I think we just chipped it. I let up as much as I could and it is what it is.”
Q: Is it just getting frustrating that no matter what you guys do they seem to have an answer?
“We go out way in head of some good goals. There hasn’t been a good fight from behind in a series where they are always ahead. They were coming back. They would score and we would counter and come back with a big goal and we would think that the momentum is on our side. We would turn around again and it’s in the back of our net. It’s tough to keep having that happen. It takes the wind out of our sails, but the series is not over. Our backs are against the wall now. We have to come back into Philly and try to win a game.”
Q: How’s the composure when you come into game four? Do you think it’s been a problem for you?
“No, it hasn’t been a problem for us. Obviously, we got a way from that tonight with emotions running high. It’s tough. It’s playoff hockey and things are going to happen out there that you don’t like. But when they keep countering and coming back at us and scoring when we have the momentum, it’s tough to keep energy going.”
Q: Is there any way to put a finger on how they got 16 goals in two games? Where does that come from?
“The edge on the puck. Too many turnovers. Them capitalizing and coming right back at us. Every time we put the puck in the net they would come right back. It’s tough when you have goal after goal.”
Q: When you have scored as many as you guys have scored..
“Exactly. You think you got the momentum going your way and then like I said, you turn around and they are going back the other way”
Q: [Inaudible]
“We have to believe in ourselves and believe in the guys we have in this room. We got it all year up until this point. We have our backs against the wall and we have to do whatever it takes to get one win and start with that.”
Q: What happened there on the Couturier hit?
“I haven’t looked at it again, but I’m going through a lot of guys with a lot of speed. I don’t know if I just clipped him or.. I didn’t mean to hit him.”
Q: Seems like, some guys would describe it as almost a brawl there.
“We were staying out of it, but sometimes it boils over with teams like that. Fighting happens in playoff hockey like that, the atmosphere when your emotions are running high.”
Flyers Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov
Q: Bryz, what can you say about that game? How crazy was it for you?
Hm. It was similar to the last game. Lots of goals, lots of fights, very emotional.
Q: Did you expect the series to go this way?
It’s a difficult question. Like I ask you before guys, don’t ask me difficult questions, because I can’t answer it.
Q: How does it feel to be in the position to finish them off on Wednesday?
We just take it one game at a time.
Q: What did you think when you saw Giroux fighting Crosby?
You don’t hear a lot when one of the top two players in the league fight against each other. It’s very entertaining.
Q: What happened on that goal, the last goal? Did the puck just squirm between your leg?
I deflected the puck in the corner, and I thought the puck was in the corner, but it hit me in my left shoulder and I was pretty sure the puck was going in the corner. Back after the shoulder it returned to my blockers side and fell down, and I didn’t see it at the moment.
Flyers center Brayden Schenn
Q: How do you feel about going up 3-0 in the series?
“Yeah, it’s nice, obviously, being up 3-0 but we know we still have a lot of work to do. The fourth win is always the toughest and they’re not going to roll over and die.”
Q: What happened with the fight there?
“It was just a scrum, we just grabbed each other. It was nothing really more then that. Just heat of the battle, heat of the moment type thing.”
Q: Do you feel Pittsburgh has become unglued at this point in the season?
“No, I don’t think so. They’ve been in situations like this before and it’s just one of those games where the puck is going in the net for us. They are a good team and we are not expecting them to quit, that’s for sure.”
Q: How quick did they let that get out of hand?
“They fought hard to the end. I know it seems that the goal by Giroux deflated them a little bit but we expect them to bounce back. They’re a good hockey team. The work’s not done, we turn the page now and look on to game four.”
Q: Have you ever been a part of something like that in the first period?
“It’s awesome. It’s playoff hockey. You can see how hard everyone is competing and the hatred between these two teams, it’s a lot of fun.”
Q: Do you think the hatred you have for the Penguins brings the best out of you?
“I think it brings the best out of everyone. You don’t like your opponent, who you play six times a year. And then obviously in the playoffs, it’s fun playing those guys and I don’t think we like each other.”
Q: What happened on the Asham hit?
“It was just a hit. I didn’t really see him coming at me, I didn’t really expect a cross-check but that’s what happened.”
Q: What about after when he gave you a shot on the ground?
“That’s just his temper rising, nothing more then that. Really nothing really more then a cross-check and a punch.”
Q: Dirty in your mind?
“I didn’t expect it, that’s for sure. After the hit I thought it was clean but he just came flying off after the cross-check.”
Q: How dirty did they get as the game went on?
“It’s just two teams battling. It takes two to get fired up that much and that many scrums and fights and everything else like that. It wasn’t just them, we initiated as well.”
Q: Did the fans help you get momentum back after giving up a goal?
“Our fans are great. They were great all day. Even in warmups they had the ‘let’s go flyers’ chants.’ They were ready. Anytime you get the hometown fans on your side, with that much energy in the building, it’s awesome.”
Q: How hard was it not to get sucked into the cheap stuff at the end of the game?
“It’s important to stay out of the box for us and to stay disciplined, especially in a game four where we don’t want to do anything dumb or dirty that can hurt us in game four. It’s smart that we didn’t back down but we weren’t dirty.”
Q: It seems that you have Fleury off his game, do you just try to fire as many shots at him as possible?
“Just putting pucks on net. That’s a key. He’s a good goalie and he is usually going to make the first save and we are just trying to throw pucks on net.”
Q: What’s the mentality now after being up 3-0? You couldn’t of expected to be up 3-0 on the best offensive powered team?
“No, but at the same time we’ve got to turn the page now. We are up 3-0, but there is a lot of work to be done. The fourth is always the toughest and always the hardest. We’ve definitely got to be ready.”
Flyers center Danny Briere
Q: How do you describe that game?
“I thought the first two games in Pittsburgh were crazy, but this one was even wilder. Once again, coming up on top is a really good feeling.”
Q: How does it feel that you can finish them off?
“Well that is the goal now. They certainly have a team that can come back and they are a dangerous team. Hopefully we can finish it off. The goal is to finish it out on Wednesday in Game 4. We don’t want to let them hang around and get some confidence. Our goal is to try to finish them right away. We know they are going to be desperate and it is not going to be an easy task. They get tougher and tougher as you get closer to the last decisive game.”
Q: What did you think of Giroux and Crosby fighting?
“Entertaining but at the same time it is not something you like to see too often. I guess it is a good trade off to see the two best players on each team.”
Q: Comment on your rookies.
“Once again it was fun. They went after [Brayden] Schenn and [Sean] Couturier. They keep going after anybody that they go after and we keep standing up for ourselves. We keep being there for each other. Rookies are veterans. It’s a good sign.”
Q: On what happened to Couturier
“I saw that one. Frustration. It was the same thing he did on Claude [Giroux] after that. He is not the only one. For us, we can’t worry about that. We can’t control that. All we can control is ourselves, the way we stand up for each other, they way we stick together and at the same time the way we stay composed. I thought we did a really good job of that today.”
Q: On Pittsburgh’s frustration
“It is not something we can control. All we can control is our play, playing hard and sticking up for each other. That is what we were doing. They are going to get frustrated and we can’t control that.”
Q: Kicking it up in the Playoffs.
“I don’t know. I wish I had an easy answer, but in the Playoffs it is all about the Stanley Cup. There is no two points. It is all about winning the game, everybody has a job to do and you try to focus on that. That is all I got.”
Q: On crowd
“That was amazing. I think everyone in here got fired up so much. They were loud and ready to go right from the warm up. The atmosphere was electric out there. It got us going there early on.”
Q: Inaudible
“I don’t know if it is the hatred or the Playoffs. We are having fun, we are playing for each other and standing up for each other no matter what happens out there. We are having out blast right now and hopefully we can win. It is a lot more fun.”
Q: On first period.
“Not that I can remember. It was pretty wild. To see the stars on both sides going at it and everybody fired up the way it was. It was something I will remember for a long time.”
Q: Special teams
“We said at the beginning that special teams and discipline were going to be two key factors. Our power play has been responding and our penalty kill, for the most part, has been excellent. Discipline wise I think we are doing a good job of staying out of the scrum. Like I said, it is a lot easier when you have momentum because you are usually winning.”
Q: On cheap shots at end
“They certainly got a little chippy and they got frustrated. I liked the way stood and stuck together.”
Q: Do you think there was some targeting?
“Definitely, it is the Playoffs. We saw [James] Neal going after Sean [Couturier]’s head and Claude [Giroux]’s head. Obviously he had a plan in mind. We stuck together. It is a part of winning games and it is going to make us stronger.”
Q: On Pittsburgh defense
“I didn’t really like that trade-off very much. [Kris] Letang is a very good defenseman. Offensively he is their most dangerous defenseman. Kimmo [Timonen] does it all for us; defensively, offensively and everywhere. So, I didn’t really like that trade-off but this game is over now and we get to have him back in our line up.”
Flyers right wing Jaromir Jagr
Q: How crazy was that game for you?
“It was a long game. That was probably the longest game I’ve ever played without overtime. It was crazy. The last ten minutes were too long.”
Q: On the amount of fighting
“Yeah, it was a lot of fighting.”
Q: Is that a bad thing? Did it get out of hand?
“It’s tough to say…let’s let Mr. Shanahan decide what’s going to happen.”
Q: It looked like they were going after Giroux a lot…and Couturier…
“Well, on Coots, he didn’t have the puck and Neal hit him.. the puck wasn’t even close, nowhere close. I thought it was kind of dirty play.”
Q: Do you feel like you guys will be able to finish them [Pittsburgh] on Wednesday?
“I don’t know. We have the game Wednesday, it’s going to be a very important game. If we come in with the momentum and have a start like today…..after the first, I think that was the first time we had a lead in a while. It was a good start for us…and when we had a power play, we scored on the power play…I think that was the biggest key today. “
Q: Can you talk about that second period power play goal? The pass to Read was obviously a great pass but a lot of rookies really can’t bury that home, but he did. Talk about that goal and why the power play has been so successful.
“Well, that’s a huge key, to be able to score on power plays. It’s kind of tough to score 5 on 5, so the power play is always huge in the playoffs and Matt Read, he has a great shot. He knows how to put his body into it and he’s going very low and that’s the whole key, when you want to shoot one-timers who have to be very low, almost on the knees.
Flyers head coach Peter Laviolette
Q: Peter, how upsetting was it to you to see Neal run Couturier like that, a blind hit?
“It’s hard to watch. We’ve got a young player on the ice who’s playing some great hockey. So it’s difficult to see that.”
Q: Peter, special teams again seemed to swing the game, can you talk about a couple power play goals, another short-handed goal. Has that really been the difference in the series, are you surprised that you guys had so much of an advantage in that area?
“I think there’s a lot of work that goes into it. We’ve got a couple good guys I think, giving the players some help, Craig Berube and Joey Mullen. I think the players have done a fantastic job of executing, both power play units have a pretty good identity and the penalty kill is just a lot of work. Again, it’s a talented group out there. We were able to cash in a couple times short-handed. We’ve got to be careful with what we’re doing too, they’re some skilled players on the ice. Overall, it’s been good to this point.”
Q: Peter, Claude said before the playoffs that he wanted to be known as a player that raised his game, obviously you see the 6 points the other night, but what you saw from him tonight in some of the other intangible areas…
“For me, if you didn’t want to talk about the skill and the points, one of his greatest assets is his competiveness and his will to win. It’s the best I’ve ever seen. It’s a guy who won’t stop, and won’t quit, just a tremendously competitive player. This is a big stage and that’s where you really get to see that come out.”
Q: Peter in your wildest dreams, did you ever think you would be up three games to none and have scored 20 goals in three games?
“I think when you paint a broad picture like that, you try to stay away from that. We went into game one, we were expecting to win. I think that there is confidence in our group and how we play the game and then you roll over into the next day and eventually over a body of work you get somewhere. I don’t think anybody, I can’t speak for everybody else, I didn’t go to bed dreaming about being up 3-0. I think you come in and try to do the right things to win one game. So, that’s where we are at right now.”
Q: Peter, with the rookies on this team, you never know how they are actually going to play until they actually start a playoff. But, could you ever imagine as a group that they could be as effective as they have been these first three games?
“That one is a little bit easier for me to answer because I think when you an opportunity to work with a rookie or a group of rookies, and you get to see what they are capable of…There was no question on our end, and I think their teammates would probably say the same thing, there was no question as to whether or not they would be able to play in a pressure filled game or an atmosphere like this. They’re terrific young hockey players and I think that their teammates would probably say the same.”
Q: Peter, back to G. When G takes on Sidney, that’s obviously important to him, is that important to a coach too in that situation?
“I thought it was great. In the end, that’s really playoff hockey isn’t it? A couple of the best players in the world dropping the gloves and going at it.
Q: Does it scare you at all?
“Well, yeah. Would I rather have G keep his gloves on? Sure. But when he’s fighting Sidney Crosby, that’s playoff hockey, that’s this series. In the end, that’s probably what it’s about. You get guys out here that what to win on both sides and they’ll do anything to do it so you’ve got to be ready to play at that level.”
Q: Peter, you guys have been in the spot that the Penguins are in with this team. Does that give you an advantage – you know what they’re feeling, does that help getting ready in the 0-3, you know what that’s like?
“I’m not sure I understand the question.”
Q: You’re up 3-0, but you’ve been down 3-0, so you know what it’s like to be there, some of your players know what that’s like, does that help them prepare? Knowing what that desperation is?
“My team? My team hasn’t been down 0-3.”
Q: Some of the players on the team…
“Yeah, but this team hasn’t.”
Penguins center Sidney Crosby
Q: The way this game went today did you guys lose your cool in the first period did they just get in your heads to the point that you had to fight back? Did you lose your cool?
“No, I don’t think we did. I think there were many times throughout the second we bounced back and if anything we guys were just trying to hold things together and show a little fight. We had chances in the second and we let them get back in it. That was really the difference.”
Q: You seem to mix it up with the other players from other team, giving people hits after the whistle, what was it about today’s game that lent itself to all the fights?
“I don’t know, a lot of things went wrong. That’s kind of the result you get.”
Q: You said this team brings out the worst in you guys. Did we see exactly that again today?
“You know there is more than one team getting in those things so you can make a story all you want about us getting frustrated. We are playing playoff hockey and they are doing the same things we are. It’s intense and you can say that we got frustrated but we didn’t. We took some penalties didn’t kill them and got within one and didn’t get back in the game. We know what we have to do we just need to do it more consistently. Everyone knows the way we need to play and no one is in here pointing fingers. The fact of the matter is we have made mistakes that have hurt us. There has been different reasons for that whether we got bad bounces or they made a couple of really good plays whatever the case is now we know what we need to do and we gotta win a hockey game here next time. That is really what it comes down too”
Q: How do you explain 16 goals in two games?
“There is no real way to explain it you don’t see that. That’s kind of the way this series has gone. You take away those and add up our goals what was it 9 and its pretty good too. So we are getting out scored. Bottom line is we have to better in both areas but there is not a lot of explanation. There are times we are doing a good job but they get one chance in ten minutes or seven minutes and it’s in the back of the net. That’s the way the game is it’s not always the easiest thing to explain. Guys are working hard here and playing their best no one is quitting here. We gotta just keep going.”
Q: How do you feel going into game four?
“You gotta win one. It’s plain and simple you can’t win all four at once and you gotta win one and I think you know no one is showing any signs of giving up in here. So you can’t look at it as having to win four you gotta look at it as having to win one and that is we are mind set is now.”
Q: When you knocked Voracek’s glove on the ice and hit it away was that just out of frustration?
“I don’t like any guy on their team there. It was near me and he went to pick it up and I pushed it.”
Q: Why don’t you like them?
“I don’t like them, because I don’t like any guy on their team so.”
Q: The fighting and such was that you trying to spark their team a little bit?
“Yea, guys are emotional and there is a lot of stuff going on out there. There is no reason to explain. I don’t have to sit here and explain why I pushed a glove away they are doing a lot of things out there too. You know what, we don’t like each other. Was I going to sit there and pick up his glove? What was I supposed to do?”
Q: You could skate away.
“Skate away? Oh well I didn’t that time.”
Q: Given the talent both teams have how surprised that one team is up three given how closely these teams were matched talent wise?
“There is no explanation for it. I think that there have been different swings throughout the games in the series and they have found a way to get that momentum and keep points. I mean there are times it doesn’t looks like anyone is dominating it is kind of back and forth. They have ended up executing a little more.”
Q: Those hits and things did they feel like things that should have worked to get more out of you guys?
“Again, we had a really good second period. Once that stuff was kind of out of the way I think we did a really good job. We just weren’t able to get through that second, staying within one. That’s really what it came down to. I mean there are all these little things that happen within a game and you can analyze them all you want. The fact is we were within one at the second period and didn’t find a way to tie it up but I don’t think we need to sit here and analyze it. It is the playoffs and there are a lot of things that happened on both sides. Everyone’s guilty of it no one is blaming anyone here. It’s heated out there and that’s what the playoffs are like.”
Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury
Q: How do you feel about game four on Wednesday? Was game three any tougher seeing this happen again?
“Uh nothing is over. I had a few good practices before this game and watched some tapes and it didn’t follow up.”
Q: How have things gone so badly over these three games in your mind?
“I don’t know it just happened. That’s how it is.”
Q: Are you frustrated?
“No I am happy. Yes, definitely being down by three, it is a big challenge that we lost. I am not going to quit. I am just going to go out there and play hard and find our way back.”
Q: Did you allow Brent to go out there for the third? Did you tell Dan you wanted to play in the third?
“No, there was no talk.”
Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen
Q: Are you disappointed to see these attempts on your skilled players?
“I think if you look around the whole Playoffs it has been like that. It is not just our game. I watched some games last night and I don’t know what that is. I am disappointed. There are some guys running around that are not supposed to and I don’t understand that.”
Q: Have you not seen that? You are a veteran.
“No I haven’t. I’ve watched a lot of hockey. I watched some yesterday and I see it in different games and our game too. If they are going to win that way, it is not working for them. Hopefully they do it one more time.”
Q: Were moments calculated?
“I don’t think they are calculated, but there are some guys running around that don’t usually do that. I don’t know why you would change your game for the Playoffs. I don’t like that. Like I said, if they think they are going to win that way, go ahead and do it.”
Q: Was Crosby one of those guys?
“I don’t know. Obviously they are going to protect him. If he gets in a scrum, they are all going to be out there making sure he is not the one who is going to.”
Q: On what happened before Crosby scrum
“I don’t mind that because it happens. If you play hard, you play hard. If you are a hard forechecking guy then you do that. The problem I have is when there are guys who are running around and they don’t normally do that.”
Q: On Giroux taking on Crosby
“It is about a game. If they do that, we have to do the same. The bottom line is that we are up 3-0. If they think they are going to win games like that than do it.”
Q: On rookies
“If you can hit guys without the puck nowadays that is dangerous I think. I understand the rough game and I understand the guys with the puck and you can hit. I love the rough game. If the guy doesn’t have the puck and you hit him blindsided, I don’t understand that. The league should get on that.”
Q: On non-retaliating
“We have been talking about the whole series. We are not going to get any favors from the referees or league. We have to be the ones that stay disciplined. I thought we have been doing a pretty good job at it. Obviously, it looks like they are not.”
Q: On Claude Giroux
” I see the last couple of years he has been getting better and better every year. [With] what happened last summer we knew he was going to get a lot of ice time, power play time and shorthanded time. I knew he was going to be a great player. He is only going to get better.”
Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma
Q: Dan, when you were thinking about heading into this series, I’m assuming you were trying to avoid these types of games. How difficult is it for you to avoid these types of fames when emotions run high?
“Are you talking about the number of penalties and scrums? We haven’t seen a lot of that in Game 1 and in Game 2. We obviously saw it a lot tonight. The way the game was called there was a lot of extracurricular activity during and after the plays. That’s an area of the game we want to stay away from. We don’t want to be involved in those situations against this team. We want to stay whistle to whistle and minimize the amount of penalties in the game not create those scenarios. Emotions are high and you saw it numerous times tonight that spilled over for both teams.”
Q: With the said, was some of that just an attempt to spark their teammates?
“There was no intentional idea to do that, but certainly there was that in some of the situations that happened on the ice.”
Q: Dan, can you talk about what went into your goaltending change and did you think about doing it even earlier?
“Yes, I thought about doing it, but some of the power play and penalty kill situations precluded that didn’t allow me to do that. In the first period there were some goals that we want back, obviously. I thought in the second period Marc-Andre played well. The breakaway goal at the end of the period, and the power play goal that was through the seam, back door, that was a great play. If he had got a skate on it would have been a miraculous save if he was able to get that one. I thought he played well in the second, but Brent went in for the third period.”
Q: What was the explanation you were given for Letang’s ejection and also are you concerned that there will be some disciplinary issues with Asham and a couple of other players?
“It was a secondary fight during a stoppage of play for Letang which, by the rules, is an ejection from the game. It was called correctly. As far as Asham, I haven’t really seen the replay but I think he gets him in the chest area and gets pushed further up. I’m sure they’ve already been looking at the situation and I don’t have a good thought on it.”
Q: In the past your team has had a sense of killer instinct pulling away from games. Can you comment as to why this isn’t the same this series?
“I don’t have a good reason for that. There have been some abnormal things that we have seen in pretty much every game we’ve played in. From Game 1 to this game some strange situations. Today they get the shorthanded goal. It’s tough to explain that one. We get up with the lead from Jordan Staal’s goal and then we find an interesting way to erase it. I don’t think it’s been one thing, but we’ve made some mistakes and they’ve cost us in every game.”
Q: Have you had a discussion with Marc-Andre about Game 4 and where do you feel like you’ll be with him for Game 4?
“I have not talked to him, but Marc-Andre Fluery is in our net for Game 4.”
Q: The two penalties on Kunitz, what was your opinion on that and where they fair penalties or undisciplined on his part?
“My assessment is that there were three or four penalties on the play on both players and the referee called the last one on Chris.”
Q: Marc-Andre has been a rock for you guys for a long time are you surprised that he hasn’t made that save to steal momentum for you guys?
“The games have not come down to Mar-Andre Fluery’s goaltending. Mistakes that we’ve made, situations we put our team in. I know Marc-Andre is going to be the guy in our net for the next four games.”
Flyers center Max Talbot
Q: Max again just another wild hockey game. Did you ever think it would even get to this level?
“No I didn’t expect it. We talked about it starting the series. I remember Scotty Hartnell talking about stuff like that but I didn’t want to believe that. Tonight was definitely a little bit of everything. It was a lot of offense again but at the same time there was a lot of physicality.”
Q: How about the play of your young players, your rookies, and how they were able to stand out in that situation?
“I don’t think we will stop talking about them. Coots again, outstanding job tonight. Maybe he doesn’t have a hat trick but all game long he played solid and he’s tough to play against. You look at a guy like Matt Read stepping up with the goals. They did it all season long and I feel like these guys knew their role all season long and they’re a big part of our team so they just keep on doing it and it’s a big part of our sucess right now.”
Q: You know how talented that team is, are you surprised to be sitting in this position right now 3-0 on the team?
“A little bit surprised but I think we always believe in ourselves but like you just mentioned they’re a talented team and for having played with them they have a lot of character. They’re not done out there it’s not like they’re just going to roll over. It’s nice to be up 3-0 it’s better than being down 3-0 but at the same time we got to turn the page and game fours got to be huge for us on Wednesday.”
Q: It it upsetting to see this kind of, the series breakdown, with this kind of really dirty hits against your top players that could lead to serious injuries like this.
“Well I didn’t see replays of any hits so I can’t really come out on what was dirty or anything but it was obviously a game that got a little bit out of control. I guess it’s playoff hockey and in the end it’s about getting the win and turning the page and trying to get ready for game four.”
Q: You’ve got a lot of friends out of the room how difficult is a day like today emotionally for you when you see all the hits, some questionable, and all the penalties?
“It’s playoff time. It’s the time that you play hockey and you play hard and you do what you feel is going to make your team win. Obviously you never want to see dirty stuff happen out there but I guess it happens.”
Q: Did you feel that maybe they were targeting, it looks like they kind of went after Couturier and Giroux?
“I didn’t see the replay but there’s frustration obviously for both teams and when things like that happen I’m not in there head I don’t know if they targeted the guys but you know what I think we all stuck together and that’s important.”
Q: You said before the series it might take 3 or 4 games before you work up a good dislike for your old teammates, are you getting there?
“You know what they’re a good hockey team, they play hard, and they’re coming they keep coming and all I want to do is play hard and do my best to help the team win.”
Flyers right wing Matt Read
Q: Matt, little surprised the way this game turned out after the first two and how pumped they were?
“Being up 2-0 we knew they were going to be a little bit desperate. Just those little things, more hitting, more contact, little bit more physical. We knew that was going to come but we didn’t expect it so early. It was a great game and those games are fun to play in.”
Q: How do you think the rookies as a whole did tonight?
“I thought we all did our jobs out there. We all played well and those little things like keeping your head up and having an extra look when your out there and just making the right plays and not worrying about getting hit or something like that. Just playing hockey and have fun with it.”
Q: How do you feel about the high scoring nature of this series?
“It’s kind of weird playoff hockey. You don’t really see it to many games where it’s plus 10 goals. It’s two high-scoring teams and they are just playing to their systems and scoring. We just need to tighten up a little bit more defensively for us and just keep playing well.”
Q: Is that one of the most physical games you ever been a part of?
“Yes, it was probably top of the charts. But like I said these games are fun to play in and you show up and the more you hit the more your into the game. You just enjoy it.”
Q: Did they cross the line with some dirty shots?
“That doesn’t matter. It’s another game out there and you just have to worry about yourself and worry about your teammates and play smart, simple hockey. Just make sure you win that game.”
Q: When you have the advantage in the series and the game how important is it to keep your cool?
“You don’t want to be stupid out there and get a suspension or a fine or something like that. You take care of yourself and make sure you do what’s right for the team and take a punch or a slash, that doesn’t matter in the long run. It’s gonna feel good in the end.”
Q: Is it tough to believe that you’re up 3-0?
“I think we are pretty even teams. It is just a matter of bearing down and making simple plays and the right plays and who is better defensively. The goals are going to come for both teams, it’s just who is being the simplest team out there and doing the right things.”
Q: A lot of people thought this series was going to go six or seven games. To be sitting here now up 3-0, are you a little surprised to be up in this position?
“You can be surprised. The first two games we came back from deficits. You can almost consider those lucky wins and not many teams come back from the playoffs when you’re down three or two goals. Right now you don’t have to worry that we are up 3-0, you put those three games behind and play like you are down one game going into the next game for us.”
Q: Can you tell you were in their heads and they were frustrated?
“You can see that, maybe this game got to them a little bit. You got to prepare yourself for the next game. They are a great team over there and if you give them any chances or any ice they are going to take advantage of it.”
Q: Was tonight your “rookie impact” game?
“Yeah, I guess so. We have a great rookie bunch in here and everyone plays their role and whose night it doesn’t matter. We just make sure the teams winning and I was lucky tonight to a couple goals. I’ll move forward and worry about game four.”
Q: How hard is it to stay disciplined when things get like they did?
“In my perspective, it’s pretty easy. You want to take a punch or slash and those things are little extra things. If you win the game those are going to feel a lot better and your not going to feel them at the end of the game. Just go out there and do the little things in between the whistles and not worry about after the whistle stuff.”
Q: It looked like they were targeting your stars in the third period. What are your thoughts on that?
“Everyone has to protect themselves. Our star players, they know that could possibly happen. Unfortunately there was a hit on [Couturier] there, I’m not sure how he’s doing, I think he’s doing well, but you’ve just got to worry about protecting your teammates out there. If that happens or it gets out of hand, you just protect yourself and make sure everyone on the ice is smart about it.”
Q: Does the word “brawl” describe this game?
“I guess you can say that, there was quite a bit of fights and a lot of stuff after the whistles but like I said before all that matters is the stuff that happens between the whistles and the outcome of the game. We want to take care of the scoreboard first and worry about that stuff second.”
Flyers center Sean Couturier
Q: Sean, did you feel you were being targeting on that play [when you were hit by Neal] ?
“I don’t know. I don’t really know what his intentions were but…it was maybe accidental but I don’t know.”
Q: Was it a crazy game for you?
“Yeah, right off the bat it seemed like the two teams picked it up, picked the intensity up and I think it was a battle the whole game.”
Q: Can you talk about that Neal hit? Did you see it coming…were you frustrated with the hit?
“Yeah, it’s obviously frustrating to get hit like that but I mean, I never saw him coming. Maybe it was accidental, I don’t know. “
Q: How are you feeling?
“I feel good.”
Q: Did you guys every dream you’d be up 3-0 right now? A lot of people thought this would be a long drawn out series…”
“Yeah, but I think it’s far from over. We have to still focus on approaching the games on game at a time and…Next game, it’s going to be even tougher. “
Q: Was part of the reason you were caught off-guard because the puck was no where near you?
“Yeah, the puck wasn’t close so I was actually turning to get back in our end and boom, I got hit. I mean, maybe it was just a collision, accidental….”
Q: Is it frustrating to get any sort of flow going in games like that?
” Well, offensively we got some flow going and scoring chances…but obviously it was a run and gun game again. It was a better start too, so that was the key today.”
Q: How did you feel right after the hit? Did you see stars?
” Well I was surprised and obviously I was a little caught off guard and didn’t feel that great right off the bat but after that I was fine. “
Q: Do you think you guys are getting under their skin, because they’re having to resort to tactics like that?
“I don’t know, the score was out of hand and I think they were frustrated but, next game they’re gonna be right back there. “
Q: Brayden [Schenn] said he’s never been a part of anything as intense as this game, have you?”
“Not really no. It was fun. The intensity picked it up and both teams, neither one gave any inches out there so you had to battle hard. It was fun.”
Q: How flattering is it for you to be 19 and have one of the best teams in hockey targeting you in a playoff game?
“It feels good but as a team I think we did good tonight taking the lead early one…we had a better start and that was the key today.”
Q: How do you think you and the other rookies have handled all of that stuff? The extra-curricular stuff?
“Well, we try not to think too much that we’re young. We just go out there and play hard and so far things have been going well and hopefully they keep going well.”
Flyers left wing Scott Hartnell
Q: Where does this game rank for you as far as craziness with the fights and everything, especially in the first period?
“Right up there. We knew it was going to be an emotional game but I think that the level that they took it to was not hockey. It’s not what you want to see in hockey…cross-checks in the face, one of their best players, Neal, going up near a couple of guys heads…It’s scary when it comes down to that level. It’s not fun to play with that kind of stuff. You ask the best player in the world, Sidney Crosby, what they were thinking out there and he said ‘well, that’s playoff hockey,’ end quote. For me, that’s not playoff hockey. It’s dangerous hockey, it’s trying to hurt some people out there and it’s scary, you’ve got to keep your head up at all times. Crosby comes in and grabs me from behind and another guy comes and throws about eight bombs at the back of my head. I’m no worse for wear myself but…We’ve got the advantage right now, we’ve got to finish them off here at home. “
Q: Was that the dirtiest you’ve ever seen a team in the playoffs that you’ve faced?
“I think after every scrum we made it a point to walk away every time and I think Crosby started almost every scrum. You know, the fight that he had with Giroux, the last one he came and grabbed me from behind and for almost every thing he was out there. If they’re trying to get under our skin, they’re not. They’re just getting more frustrated with themselves, which is great.”
Q: Does this make you want to finish them off even more on Wednesday?
“Definitely. The fourth one is probably the hardest to get in any series…It’s not like they’re going to roll over and die. They came out hot again today, they got the first one, and we came back and got the lead and even when they cut it close a couple of times we stepped it up, the power play was great and we have to kept at that and just go after them for 60 minutes, get the win and get out of here.”
Q: Prepping for the series, did you guys ever think you would have a 3 game lead like this?
“Well, they were on of the hottest teams going into the playoffs…the games haven’t been easy, by any means, especially in Pittsburgh, being down in both games, but showing a lot of guts to come back. Today I think we played a more solid game all-around, minus all the cheap stuff, and it was a great win.”
Flyers center Claude Giroux
Q: Claude how surprising given the nature of these 2 teams in the past, that this has been a high scoring series so far?
“Yeah it’s been weird. You look at the playoffs and everything’s pretty close and there’s not a lot of scoring but guys are working hard, we’re skating, and guys are putting pucks on net. We got traffic so we just got to keep playing that way and hopefully be successful at the end.”
Q: Being up 3-0 on this franchise is it somewhat surprising after people were saying how close this series is going to be?
“Yeah if you would of told us that before the series we would have probably laughed at you but you know what guys are working hard, playing as a team, we’ve got 4 lines rolling and Bryz playing solid too. We’re just having fun out there and we got to make sure we keep going.”
Q: How difficult is it to try and focus on playing a hockey game when there’s all the physical stuff, scrums after every whistle that last sometimes longer then the play?
“Yeah I think we did a good job of staying away from that and I think they want to get physical a little bit but that’s playoffs. We got to understand that and we’re just trying to stay out of the box because they got a good power play so we got to make sure we stay disciplined.”
Q: Was that the craziest game you played in? It looked like a downright brawl.
“Yeah the whole 3 games are kind of weird games but I guess I like weird games because we always finish by winning so we just got to keep working the way we are and stay focused on what we got to do out there.”
Q: It was suggested that they were targeting you and targeting Couturier there in the third period.
“Yeah I mean they got to do what they got to do I guess. I’m not worried about that I just got to focus on what I have to do.”
Q: Take us through what happened with you and Crosby.
“I don’t know we just had a little scrum there and then him and Kimmo went at it, I think we need to keep Kimmo on the ice so I just tried to get in there and then it just ended up by going. and it was more of a wrestling match but I mean it’s part of hockey.”
Q: It’s not seen as your game it seemed more like you were almost saying alright –
“Yeah but it’s not seen as his game either. I think they were down 3-1 and he’s trying to start his team up. I don’t know, it’s all good. It was a good wrestling match.”
Q: You were down 0-3 now you’re up 0-3 what’s the approach now in that fourth one it’s always the toughest to get off in any playoff series.
“If there’s a team that can come back from 3-0 this year I think it’s them so we need to understand that, we need to make sure that we’re focused for Wednesday. Our fans tonight were unbelievable. It was the best I’ve seen since I’m here and just the boost they gave us was pretty unbelievable.”
Q: You know what it’s like to be down 3-0, so do you know their mindset a little bit?
“Yeah that’s what I meant. They’re a very good team. They can score a lot of goals. They’re very dangerous and the way we’ve been playing right now it’s been pretty good but there’s still some improvement and guys are working hard too.”
Q: Are you surprised by your ability to come back just over and over and over again no matter what the deficit seems to be?
“Yeah that’s what we guys do, we work hard, we play as a team, and we’re having fun doing it too so having the boost from our fans when we scored those couples goals was unbelievable.”
Q: How much discipline did your team show even though it seems like there were a lot of scrums (inaudible)
“Yeah I think that’s pretty disciplined. We knew we got to stay out of that place and guys were pretty disciplined tonight and we got to make sure we do the same thing next game.”
Q: What are you expecting in game 4 from them and from yourselves?
“I don’t know. All I know is we’re going to make sure we’re focused, do what we got to do, and the last 3 games we’ve been playing pretty good. We’re skating hard and we’re winning a lot of the battles so that’s going to put us sucessful at the end.”
Q: Do you sense Fleury’s a little shaky that he’s fighting the puck a little?
“He’s a good goalie. We’ve been able to get a couple lucky bounces past him and guys are shooting the puck because we know the more we shoot the more chances we have to score goals. He’s a good goalie I mean he’s won it all and we got too make sure we keep shooting pucks on him because he’s going to be pretty focused for game 4.”
