2003 East Regional
NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship
Press Conference Quotes
Ohio State University
Friday, March 28, 2003

Press Conference Audio

Ohio State Head Coach John Markell:

Opening statement
"This is a tremendous experience for the kids. We have worked long and hard all season for the chance to be here. The CCHA Super Six went differently than we had hoped. We had hoped to challenge for first place, but it didn't happen, and this is a second chance. The work ethic all season brought us to this point and we're ready."

On the size of the Ohio State centers
"The way we play and the type of league we play in, the center has to help the D. It's nice to combine skating ability with size, and hopefully we can use that to contain Boston College."

On the experience
"It was such a new experience for our program to get here the first two times. The last time (1999) we were overly excited and ate ourselves right out of the tournament. This time, we were able to get a Charter flight and get more quality practice time back home. We opened a new facility, going from at capacity of 1500 to 17,000. We've been experiencing this pressure all season.

BC in comparison to another team Ohio State has faced
"BC comes at you with speed and size, like Michigan. BC may have some smaller players, but there is not much difference in speed. Both teams have much the same type of goaltender - big men with a butterfly style."

Senior Captain Scott Titus:
On being the only player on the team with NCAA post-season experience: "Excited to be back, only guy on the team to be here since loss the to Maine in 1999. I'm excited these guys are joining me this year and we're looking to play some good hockey."

"We've been getting ready for this game all season. The guys are more relaxed, wanting to have fun and ready to play some good hockey."

Junior R.J. Umberger:
"I'm excited to be here. We've worked three years to be here."

"I feel pretty good. We were a little worried about getting here with our performance in the Super 6. We're excited to play BC. We match up well with them, so we'll go out and give it our best."

Junior Mike Betz:
"I'm excited to be here and looking forward to having a good time this weekend."

On making NCAAs after CCHA playoffs:
"I'm a little more focused, more relaxed. We have one more shot and one game to worry about and the guys are a little more relaxed."