WATCH: Brandon Naurato discusses win over Michigan State, previews Wolverines' third-straight Frozen Four berth
Michigan Wolverines hockey head coach Brandon Naurato met with the media Wednesday afternoon (April 3) ahead of his team’s April 11 matchup with Boston College in the Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minn. Watch video of Naurato’s press conference in the player at the top of the screen or on The Wolverine’s YouTube channel.
Michigan is a No. 3 seed and knocked off top-seeded Michigan State in last week’s regional final, after beating North Dakota in the first round. The Wolverines had issues in third periods earlier in the season but effectively closed out the biggest two games of their season to keep the run going.
“You always talk about the right things in the room,” Naurato said. “It’s just going out there and executing. I just think there’s belief, and the guys went out there and did it. It was like seven of our last eight games, we’ve been in one-goal games until the last Michigan State game [in the Big Ten Tournament final]. They’re used to that, and there’s been a lot of pain with the third periods, like we’ve talked about earlier in the year. And they’ve grown from it, which is great.”
Michigan beat Michigan State, 5-2, in the NCAA Tournament regional final Sunday, even without sophomore defenseman Seamus Casey, one of the team’s top overall players.
Casey left the Wolverines’ 4-3 regional semifinal win over North Dakota Friday night after the first period due to injury. He didn’t return to action and also didn’t suit up for Michigan’s victory over the Spartans.
Naurato said the chances that the Michigan star plays in the Frozen Four is “one hundred percent.”
A first-team All-Big Ten selection this season, Casey has totaled 7 goals and a team-best 38 assists. His 45 points rank fifth on the squad.
Michigan played adequate defense without Casey against the Spartans, allowing just 2 goals on 40 shots. Graduate goaltender Jake Barczewski made 38 saves, which tied the second-highest total he’s posted in a game this season.
Naurato was emotional in the locker room after the win over Michigan State, and he explained where that came from.
“Yeah, coaches, players, there’s just so much emotion of the highs and lows of the season,” Naurato said. “You put so much into it, and a lot of time away from your family. And even when you’re there, your brain might be on different things at different times. Honestly, I know exactly what you’re talking about, and I got emotional. I looked up at my nine-year-old that was crying in the stands, so that’s what got me. But it’s good; all positive stuff.”
