NHL STANLEY CUP FINALS: MIGHTY DUCKS v DEVILS

June 7, 2003

Mike Babcock

COACH BABCOCK: I won't share any of it with you. I read a memo from the League. I know the hit wasn't late. He was courageous. Anytime that happens, it's a big message to your team about leadership.

COACH BABCOCK: It doesn't matter what I think. I already read what the League thinks.

COACH BABCOCK: No, not at all. I don't think he was unconscious. I know we have had guys miss -- we have had guys with concussions before. We take every precaution you would. Obviously if he wasn't able to come back, the medical people make those decisions.

COACH BABCOCK: I thought we had good energy level. I thought we were fairly gritty. Even when the game was out of hand there, I thought we were still doing what we had to do. We got ahead right away. So when you look at it in some ways, I thought we were kind of fairly defensive through a lot of the game. That's what happens when you get ahead.

COACH BABCOCK: The guys were reading the papers and found out the public didn't like what was going on, so they thought -- no, I don't have any idea why that's happened. People who haven't lived this have no idea about the emotions. They're a veteran team who's been through it time and time again. This is the first time I've seen them fluctuate like this. When you think about it, they can fluctuate -- now you take it to Game 7. Right now, we've got a one-game shot to win the Cup. The reality is, the emotion is what leads to you doing things probably trying to do too much than what you normally do.

COACH BABCOCK: It was a nice way to respond. I was impressed with that. It was impressive for him. I think he's got to feel good about it. When you're stretched and people are calling you out, I think somebody asked me right in front of you about that, is you get a chance to respond. When you respond that's the best feeling. That's why they pay you the money.

COACH BABCOCK: You know, it's interesting, you can say match-ups. I don't think the match-ups have been as important as controlling of the home team. As far as the hit goes, I think Lindros was carrying the puck. That would be the difference then.

COACH BABCOCK: No, I think the referees are doing what they can. They get a mandate -- you know, it's interesting because you've got two guys. I've known Brad Watson a long time and Marouelli are out there. They're doing the best they can. They're under big-time scrutiny. To me, they're doing everything and they're making the decisions as fast as they can. I think they've done a real good job.

COACH BABCOCK: Not at all. I didn't think there was going to be any contact at all, because -- because you're supposed to have the puck.

COACH BABCOCK: Well, you're supposed to have the puck.

COACH BABCOCK: We're not that type of team. We haven't been all year. We've been a real disciplined team that doesn't go after the other team. The thing about elimination was brought up this morning. I don't know if that enters anybody's mind. It's about what you're playing for. It's about the opportunity, not the other side of things. I think that's how you look at it as an athlete. You're trying to continue to stay in the process and pursue what you've dreamed of your whole life.

COACH BABCOCK: I think the great thing about it is you go in there and get spanked three times, we can't play worse than we've played there. We've got to be due for a good one. I think that's positive. The other thing about it is what shift, what break is going to turn this next game. Today we threw the puck at the net. It hit Stevens' foot, it went in the net. There is the break. They got three of them the other night. I think the teams are equally matched and I think both teams as much as the poise level is supposed to be so good, by the veteran team, I think both teams have shown a lot of fluctuating emotion.

COACH BABCOCK: No, what I would say to you is when did that happen. They had a ton of them the other night when we were down 5-3 in the game. The game was over. Our guys are all over the place. When you look at it and both teams are playing well, neither one gives up anything. When either one gets out of hand, that's when the chances have been.