by Pioneer Press , St. Paul Pioneer Press

TS: I don't want to sit here and say we weren't surprised. But we go into every game thinking we're going to win. We're a battle-tested team. I think we were prepared for our regional. I think people are dis-respecting our league (College Hockey America). You know when you're playing the No. 2 team in the country (Notre Dame), it's going to be a battle. But if you get in a rhythm early, as the game goes on, you gain more confidence. And the opposition loses confidence.

BS: Did you think teams underestimated you because you were a No. 16 seed?

TS: I don't think so. College hockey isn't like college basketball . This is a small, provincial group.

BS: Do you worry about your players just being thrilled to make the Frozen Four and not being mentally ready to go after the national title?

TS: I don't think so. We've got a pretty mature bunch. We call it competitive maturity. They've got the big picture in mind.

BS: You gave up just two goals in two regional games. Was it great goaltending, great defense or both?

TS: It was a combination of both. Defensively against Notre Dame, we took the middle of the rink away. And we have a good goalie (Matt Dalton). We were very good defensively this past weekend.

BS: Is this the best team you've had at Bemidji in your eight seasons as coach?

TS: That's debatable. We've had some good teams. We lost to Denver in '05 when they won (the national title). We were good. That was a darn good team. This team definitely is playing its best right now, as far as down the stretch. I don't want to say this is the best team, but they're right up there.

BS: Is it kind of neat to know you're representing Minnesota at the Frozen Four?

TS: Darn right it is. I'm proud of that. It's great to represent your state. That doesn't happen too often for Bemidji State. It's exciting to see what we can do. We want to make the state proud. We are a hockey state and a college hockey state.

BS: What worries you heading into the Frozen Four?

TS: At the Frozen Four, I don't know if the teams will be any tougher than Notre Dame and Cornell. If we get down early, I get nervous. We have to take care of business.

BS: Can this be a steppingstone to a more high-profile program for you, or is Bemidji where you want to be coaching for a long time?

TS: This is my alma mater. I built this program at the Division I level with my assistant coaches. We've got a proud group here. I've never thought of going anywhere else. We hope to build off this and get this team into the WCHA. I feel we'd be a good fit for the WCHA.

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