NCAA MEN'S FROZEN FOUR FINALS: ST. CLOUD STATE VS MASSACHUSETTS

April 10, 2021

Bobby Trivigno

Filip Lindberg

PPG Paints Arena

Massachusetts Minutemen

Postgame Media Conference

Massachusetts - 5, St. Cloud State - 0

Q. Obviously in a game of this magnitude to shut out a team like that, it takes a total team effort. But what does it say about the depth on the back end for them to put forth that effort tonight?

BOBBY TRIVIGNO: We have a really deep team. Our D did a great job tonight. It was a group effort in the D zone, and it takes a lot to shut out a team. I think we earned it. They did an amazing job. Way to go, brother.

FILIP LINDBERG: Thanks, bro. I mean, like Trig said, the whole team played well. The guys on the D, they played well in front of me. They saved my ass a couple of times. And I mean I'm just so happy. We all played well. And we deserved the win tonight.

Q. Bobby, I'm curious, for all the time you've been here, how important has Coach Carvel been for setting the tone and the culture and kind of getting you to the point of a national championship?

BOBBY TRIVIGNO: I know we're the players, but he deserves a lot of credit. He built this program from the ground up. The amount of work he puts in behind the scenes, recruiting players, pre-scouts, making sure all the boys are ready to play is surreal. He does a great job and definitely one of the best coaches I've ever played for.

Q. Bobby, two years ago you weren't able to play in this game. I know that was difficult for you. Can you just go through the swing of emotions between that side of it and what you're feeling right now being the most outstanding player and having that net tied behind your hat there?

BOBBY TRIVIGNO: It's crazy. Just where I was two years ago to now, as far as emotionally, is worlds of difference. And I'm just so grateful I got to play and be part of this amazing team, amazing program, amazing school. I'm just grateful for everything.

Q. Filly, will you take us through your last eight days when you found out you were in close contact? Were you skating this week? What was it like on campus, and what was it like getting out here for this, the last couple days?

FILIP LINDBERG: I mean, honestly the day I found out, that was probably the worst days I've had. That was a nightmare. But obviously there's nothing we could have done about that. And -- but I'm so thankful that we got the opportunity to play here. And, I mean, I'm so happy right now. I don't know what to say.

But it was a tough eight days. Watching the boys play on Thursday was, I was so nervous. We were all back at the hotel watching. That was something I'm going to remember for the rest of my life. But thank God we got the chance to play tonight and got the job done.

Q. Bobby, did it feel like you thought it would feel like to be sitting there watching the time come off the clock? Can you kind of describe the different things that went through your mind that -- given that there's going to be a national championship banner hanging in the Mullins Center? As you walk through the hallway and you see the pictures, that you guys are going to be immortalized to think at this point in your life you accomplished that, what's that mean?

BOBBY TRIVIGNO: I don't know what to say. It's crazy. It's literally unbelievable. I'm so happy for this group. Watching the clock tick down, we earned this win for sure. I'm just so happy to be part of it. So happy to be part of a great program. And it's just the best feeling in the world right now.

Q. Was having the last few minutes knowing that the game was in hand, to be able to celebrate, to kind of look around and watch it happen, did that add something to it that you could hug your teammates and kind of share that moment together without worrying that somebody was about to score a tying goal?

BOBBY TRIVIGNO: Yeah, I mean being up by a little bit at the end of the game kind of gives you a little bit of opportunity to take in the moment versus if it was a close game.

But you gotta stay locked in in the moment, still making good plays and being smart. But, yeah, it was cool to take it in a little bit, look around and just cherish the moment.

Q. Filip, Miettinen said you've played together on teams before. You're obviously from the same hometown. Did you know it was him taking the shot that hit the crossbar? And did that kind of scare you or kind of get you into the game at that point?

FILIP LINDBERG: No, actually, yeah, I saw he was coming down. And I knew he was going to take the shot, because if he scored, he would not let me forget that.

So, I knew it was a shot hondo by him, so, I was kind of taking him and not the other guy. He has a good shot. I'm going to thank the crossbar for that one.

Q. I'd appreciate it if both of you chimed in on this answer. Everyone has been talking about the culture, the culture, but could you guys help us define what that is, or help explain the standards or the expectations that Coach Carvel has for you guys to instill that culture in this program?

BOBBY TRIVIGNO: It's a lot. We do talk about it a lot. I can see how it's a little confusing for everyone outside looking in. But what I will say it's just being the best at everything. And that's not just playing the game. It's off the ice, the way you handle yourself in a public setting, around the community, in school. The culture is deeply embedded in everything we do. It's not just on the ice.

FILIP LINDBERG: I mean, I totally agree with what Trig said. He said everything about it. But it comes down to standards, what we do every day when we show at the rink. We work hard every single day for big games like this, and I think that's what the winning culture comes down to.

Q. How much time or preparation did you have for this game on this ice before you came in? Or did you come in pretty cold and just have to adjust as you went along?

FILIP LINDBERG: I mean, basically I had eight days inside a hotel room. I was stretching a lot and thinking a lot about hockey. And I was prepared. I got to rest for eight days, too, which was nice. I mean nothing to complain. I was ready to go. And I had the mindset of if I got the chance to play after this COVID incident, I would, that I would get the job done.

Q. Filip, I don't know if you know this or not but you're the first non-North American goaltender to win a championship. Just your thoughts on that?

FILIP LINDBERG: I had no clue. That's pretty cool. I don't mind that.

Q. Filip, what's your relationship with Matt Murray like, especially how he played so well two nights ago, and now you get the nod and what's the competition like?

FILIP LINDBERG: Mur played unreal on Thursday. He was a big part of our win for the chance to play on Saturday. And like I said before, we're good friends with Mur. We push each other every day out there, every day at practice. And he's a big part of our success, too. And he's a good guy and he keeps pushing me every day at practice.

Q. Filip, you mentioned being back at the hotel watching this on Thursday. Was that in Amherst, and when and how did you get here to Pittsburgh?

FILIP LINDBERG: Yeah, that was back in Amherst. I was in my hotel room watching. I was not going to lie, I was pretty nervous. It was something else, just sitting back and watching the guys play when you want to be there and you want to help the team and you want to be a part of that, and there's literally nothing you can do, just watch.

I was really nervous and take a walk too outside. I couldn't watch. I could but I just had get some fresh air. But, yeah, like I said, we got the job done. I'm so happy.

Q. Filip, who told you were starting? When did you find out exactly and what did they say to you?

FILIP LINDBERG: Well, I found out on Friday, the day before, I was in the car. We drove eight hours from Amherst. And I was in the car alone with my driver. And our goalie coach Facetimed me and asked me how I feel. I said I feel good. I napped for six hours, it was 2:00 p.m.

I mean, that's kind of how it happened. Like I said before, I was ready to play no matter what. I rested a lot in the hotel stuff like that. So I'm happy I got the chance to play even though the circumstances were kind of weird, but doesn't matter at that point anymore.

Q. Maybe start with Bobby. Just Bobby, simple question, what's it feel like to be a national champion? And what would you like to say to all the students I'm sure going crazy back on the UMass campus, all the alum and all the players who have played before you?

BOBBY TRIVIGNO: It's amazing. To the students, it's tough you guys didn't get to support us in person this year. But I definitely felt the buzz around social media from you guys.

The alumni have been doing the most they can to support us. The amount of support we get from them is incredible -- from Cal McCar to John Leonard, these guys have been talking to us all the way through giving us lots of love and support. Again, it's just an amazing feeling. And I'm so proud that we could bring it back home to UMass.

Q. Filip, much was made about the fact that there were three Minnesota teams in the Frozen Four. You were able to beat one of them tonight. You're a Minnesota Wild draft pick. Do you have any concern how you'll be received at Minnesota when you play pro hockey some day?

FILIP LINDBERG: We'll see what happens. They're all good guys. They're not going to punch me in the face for this. But, yeah, it's going to be fine, I think.