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Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Q&A with Men's Hockey's Mike Moore
November 14, 2007 | Men's Ice Hockey
Princeton senior captain Mike Moore is the veteran on a young Tiger defensive corps this season. After a weekend of bruising hits in Princeton's sweep of Cornell and Colgate, Moore got on the scoresheet with assists on four of Princeton's five goals last weekend. Moore answers questions about last weekend's games against St. Lawrence and Clarkson, the start of a three-game stretch against Quinnipiac, and being named captain of the team. This Q&A
is the second of a weekly Tuesday series that will appear throughout the
hockey season and will feature a different player each week.
Last weekend's results weren't what the team wanted, but that's in the past and the team has to move forward this weekend against Quinnipiac. What lessons were learned during the St. Lawrence and Clarkson games?
We learned the importance of a good start. We were prepared with a hard week of practice and game-plans, but we came out flat and did not complete our on-ice objectives. We did not execute and play our game for the entire 60 minutes on Friday or Saturday.
This Saturday begins a unique stretch where you'll play three games in an eight day span all against the same opponent, Quinnipiac. The first game does not count towards the league standings, the other two will. What do you expect going into the series?
We know they are a completive team with a lot of skill. We are only looking at one game at a time, and our focus this week is for Saturday. They are a respected program within the college ranking system, so even though this is not a ECAC league game, it is a great chance to prove ourselves again. We are not going there to feel them out for the league games.
In two seasons, Princeton has won twice at Quinnipiac and Quinnipiac has won twice at Princeton. As a team, what do you expect when you're playing your travel-partner?
Your travel partner is always the first team you check on the internet in the hotel or your dorm room after a game. You want to see how they did against your next day opponent. Anytime you get to battle them it is exciting, finally getting to play them yourself.
What was your reaction when you found out you'd be wearing the captain's C this season?
I definitely felt a little more pressure, following in Darroll Powe's footsteps is not easy. He had the ability to rally the troops at any point during the game with a big hit, back check, or a goal. You can not expect to replace a guy like that, and we have been fortunate as a team because we have great leadership among the juniors and seniors. Some guys say what needs to be said and others lead by example, so that takes the pressure off. A lot of guys are leaders on our team which is great because we are all pulling in the same direction.
Can you talk about the previous two captains that you played with at Princeton, Patrick Neundorfer and Darroll Powe? What you learned from them and which of their traits you hope to carry on during your senior season?
Not only were Neundorfer and Powe great leaders and hockey players, they were both extremely dedicated to the hockey team. They always worked the hardest in the weight room, always finished first during skating drills in practice, and were outstanding students in the classroom. They were excellent representatives of our hockey program, guys you were proud to call teammates. And they were reliable on the ice as well. You knew when the game was on the line, those were the guys you wanted on the ice. You could depend on them to get the job done. They were the kind of hockey players you wanted to be.
You're the veteran of a young and relatively inexperienced defensive corps, at least at the college level. How has the group come together? What are your strengths as a group and where do you need to improve?
As a defensive group, our strength is skill. Everyone back there is a great skater, can move the puck quickly, and has a solid shot. Something we need to work on is confidence, and that comes with time. Each guy is a warrior, ready to battle in the corners and willing to put themselves in front of a puck. The more we play into the season, the better we are getting. If we keep this consistent improvement, we will be successful.