The Blue Jackets dropped Game 2 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series to the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-1, on Friday night at PPG Paints Arena. Game 3 is set for 6 p.m. Sunday at Nationwide Arena.
Here's a collection of post-game comments and reaction from Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella and the players after tonight's game:
HEAD COACH JOHN TORTORELLA
On the game overall:
“We did a lot of the things we wanted to do. I’m proud of our club, the way they handled themselves, did all the things we asked them to do. We’ll see them tomorrow, lick our wounds, and face off again.”
On how he expects his team to react in Game 3:
“They’ll be fine. As I’ve said right on through here, we have a great group of guys. We’ll be fine. I’m going to coach my team and look at how we played; we’ll come back with some confidence, meet tomorrow, and be ready for our next one.”
On his assessment of their play in Games 1 and 2:
"I don’t have one bitch about the team. Not one. I’m anxious to get our suits on again and get at it in our building (on Sunday).”
On his team's mettle being tested:
“When they scored the goal, we didn’t stop playing. We played even better after they scored the goal. As a series goes deeper and deeper, those momentum swings are even more important.”
“I felt much more comfortable as far as what we were doing around the net. Hopefully we keep banging away, get some puck luck, and get some goals scored. We played the way we needed to play.”
NICK FOLIGNO
On the team's frustration level:
"You can’t get frustrated. We have to find a way to capitalize on the power play and get some bounces. It’s wild. We’re doing a lot of good things, so I’m not going to get down."
On the difference in Game 2:
"They capitalized on their chances again and we have to minimize some of those. We played a real solid game. We’re not going to get down. It’s a long series. We have the best playoff environment going back home. We’re excited (to go home)."
SERGEI BOBROVSKY
On how he sees the challenge ahead:
"As I said before, we just have to work. It is what it is: we’re down 2-0. We have two games at home. We’ll focus and be ready for the next one."
On the Penguins' goals tonight:
"I don’t like to talk about goals. It was my mistake, and that’s it."
On what's next:
"The next game is the most important for us and we’ll be ready."
CAM ATKINSON
On how he saw Game 2 unfold:
"We played a great game. We’re going to hold our heads high and try to turn it around. We forechecked hard, we got chances, we just have to bury them. It is what it is, and we have to feel confident going back home to our barn and our fans. We’ll be ready."
On the team's approach to Game 3:
"We’re going to dig out of this hole. That’s why it’s a series. We did a lot of great things tonight. We have to keep going."
