I really think when we can play at home for a while, we will be a great team. Players step up every day, and we will need that improvement to continue.

We were going to play these games even if it was in a rice patty or a cotton field. If there is anything we can do when we are down there, we are going to do it.

We were not playing as well as we needed to, and part of that was being inconsistent because of the weather and being on the road so much. The team is starting to put everything together now, though, and we will need that when tournament time arrives.

There were a lot of good things. We competed really well. I don't like how we let things go in the first game ? we got a little tight ? but we rebounded well. There was some great sophomore leadership.

At this time of the year, any time you can play at home, whether it's your playoff games or an NCAA game, I think it's a benefit to your hockey club. If you get that home game, whether it's some years maybe at the Kohl Center or maybe at the Cap Ice Center or at the Eagle's Nest (in Verona), it's a good thing.

It's always exciting to play Bloomington. It's good to have a Friday home game, and it will be a great crowd. We also understand it's not the most important game of the season, either. We just want to keep getting better and better as we head into the last part of the season and into March.