BRYAN WILSON – 05.11.2023
COACH LOVE ON THE MATCHUP
“There are some similarities between Abbotsford and Coachella. This team’s probably a little more veteran, some guys that have some good experience in both the NHL level and AHL. Well coached, Stanley Cup Champion coach. They’ve been right there with us all year long; it came down to the wire essentially for first place. So, I would say, on both sides, pretty evenly matched, but we’ll let the two teams decide that here in the best of five.”
ON STAYING PRESENT
“I think in a short series every game is important. Whether you’re starting on the road or at home you’ve got to find wins. Our focus here today is Game 1, we’re not worried about the three games in Coachella potentially, or tomorrow, we’re worried about today and finding our game early here.”
ON EARNING IT
“They make you earn everything you’re going to get. They’re a team that doesn’t beat themselves, they’re in your face and they check the game very well. So, if you’re not managing the puck, they’re transition game – in terms of what they try to create off the rush and in the zone – is pretty lethal.”
“On both sides, pretty evenly matched.”
Coach Love chatted this morning on what he expects from the series against the Firebirds. pic.twitter.com/1n4nLEk7VV
— y- Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) May 11, 2023
WALKER DUEHR ON FACING THE FIREBIRDS
“We know that they’re a good team … they’ve got a veteran-based team over there and we’ve done a little video on them and know that they’re a good team, so we’re expecting a hard-fought series.”
ON MOMENTUM
“I think when you get the momentum you’ve got to run with it, and if you don’t have momentum you’ve got to try and find it any way possible. I think that goes back to our motto of staying even keeled. Whether things are going right or whether things are going wrong, it’s about keeping that even balance and trying to get to our game.”
“Expecting a hard fought series.”
Walker Duehr spoke after morning skate about the expectations heading into Game 1. pic.twitter.com/eE3JBib5y7
— y- Calgary Wranglers (@AHLWranglers) May 11, 2023
BEN JONES ON FOCUS
“From the season standpoint, we had some good battles with them … they’re a good team over there, there’s no secret there.”
“Big focus is on us and on what we do well.”
ON HOME ICE ADVANTAGE
“These first two games are huge, but every game is huge. It’s the playoffs, doesn’t really matter what building you’re in. Obviously, we’re going to try and feed off the momentum of the crowd here … being home is great.”
