About the Bucks

After a few not-so-Buck-related posts, I'm going to give you one that consists purely of quotes from Coach Ruskowski about the past weekend, defensive progress and all those injuries. I apologize if you bits of these repeated tomorrow in my notebook, which will by the way run on Page 3, not 1.

On the team's play this weekend:

"First period of the second game, man were we moving the puck well. We were intercepting their passes, defense had short gaps, we were taking the puck and giving it right back up to the forwards and attacking, attacking, attacking. I loved that. That first period was one of the best periods we’ve played in two months. Then all of a sudden, penalties and everything they put on us, we had to play a little more defensive coverage, but I think that was…if we could do that every period, it would be freakin’ awesome…it would just be awesome. It was nice to see that happen. Those are the type of games we have to play. Our goaltenders have to play exceptionally well, and they both did play exceptionally well. We have to score two or three goals and keep (our opponents) from scoring more than three goals, because that’s how we have to win. Like I’ve said, our goal scoring isn’t quite there yet; we’re going to have to win those games, the 1-0, 2-1, 3-2 kind of deals. It was nice to have happen, especially going on the road. And the game before, they beat Odessa 5-0, so it was kind of like, 'Whoa, we better prepare ourselves pretty well.'"

On the importance of finally stringing together two road wins:

"It was definitely important, knowing that if we play our system and we win the little battles, eventually we’ll win the war. We did that, and it was nice. Hopefully it’s something to build on, and as a coach, you’re always hoping for something to build on. Hopefully that is the case this weekend, that we can build on these road wins where we didn’t give a whole lot of scoring opportunities."

On how crucial goalie play is to this team:

"That has to happen. It has to happen. Our goaltenders have to play very well, and consistent. It was nice to see that they can do that. We are going to monitor them as much as possible, give them as much rest as possible, so they’re ready to play to their potential capabilities. They’re a huge part of it. You look at everybody’s success, and the first part you look at is goaltending. Our goaltending played very well, our defense moved the puck pretty well, and our offense is doing a pretty good job in the defensive zone but also the offensive zone. It’s huge that our goaltending play as well as it did."

On starting Andrew Martin on Saturday instead of Sebastien Centomo:
"With his situation, I talked to him after the game (on Friday) to make a decision about the next day. Him and I and Bobby talked, and he said it was weak, and I thought, ‘Well, if it’s going to be weak now, going to the next day, it’s going to be weaker.’ But I have the luxury of having Martin, who’s a good goalie, also. So the decision was we had another good goalie who was sitting right there, let’s go ahead and make sure Centomo’s going to be healthy and ready to go because we have two, three days of practice, then go from there. It worked out okay."

On the forwards:
"I do (like what I’m seeing from the Matt Miller-Ryan Salvis- Igor Agarunov line), and I still think they can be more productive. If we get Smith’s line going the way it can go, and Salvis’ line going…and Dixon’s line really had some good chances, too. We’re just hoping that good chances lead to goals down the road. I thought that Bonar played really good hockey last game, and I think that if he continues to improve, that’s going to be a huge asset for us."

On some of the injuries:
"I think that maybe (some of) the IR guys are coming off the IR, so we won’t be down to 14 skaters anymore, so that’s nice. Every time a guy would come off (the ice) with a sour look on his face, I’m going, ‘Oh no, not another injury.’ I expect (Jaye Judd and Steve Weidlich) to be back. We’ll find out the next couple practices if that’s going to be the situation. I’m hoping that’s going to happen. I’ll talk to Bobby, and we’ll see about the injured players."

On practice objectives for this week:
"We’re going to practice defensive coverage. Until we get out of this lack of scoring, our defensive coverage has to be brilliant – not good, but brilliant. So we’re going to practice defensive coverage to make sure everybody exactly knows that, breakouts, our trap breakouts, our traps…make sure everybody’s on the same page. If we can do that, hopefully we can win those 2-1, 3-1, 3-2 games."


Ruskowski also told me that he and trainer Bobby Moore will be sitting down with the team doctors to discuss Jeff Bes' status very soon, and that if he is projected to be a question mark for returning during the playoffs, they'd have to sit down with Bes and tell him he's out for the season. That discussion may have taken place after practice today, so I'll be sure to ask Ruskowski about it tomorrow.