Dallas Stars Jamie Benn and Lian Bichsel speak ahead of Game 2 in Winnipeg

Dallas Stars Jamie Benn and Lian Bichsel speak ahead of Game 2 in Winnipeg

All right, it’s silly, but is it different to come in after a win? Is that a different mindset, uh, because you guys have lost game one before and Pete talked about how that puts you back to the wall in game two and is it a different mindset when you win game one? Uh, no, um, you know, I think we just know how they’re feeling right now because we’ve been there many times and, um, obviously the importance of, of game two. Um, you know, so we got to be ready to go and, um, and bring a strong effort here tonight. We’ve seen that with Colorado in game 4 when they were down 2 to 1. It really does up their motivation for the opposition. Yeah, um, you know, when you’re down, you obviously don’t want to dig yourself a bigger hole and, uh, you know, it just shows the importance of this game for, for our group here. Um, you know, we know we’re going to see their best and we’re gonna be ready to go you’ve had in the playoffs, I wonder what you learned from that and walking away from a game one and finding a way to win different ways in the playoffs. I mean, you, you play so many uh so many game ones against different teams and um, you win some, you lose some, um, you know, in the end it’s just one game, um. You got to move on quick after a win and and move on quick after a loss and refocus and um. You know, get ready for that next one. Clearly Mikko is on an all-time stretch here when it comes to what he’s doing in the playoffs. So where do you think this team is with, uh, you know, it, it’s major strength and its depth and scoring? Uh, and we feel we’re gonna, you know, a great group in here, um, you know, from top to bottom, um, you know, we got two good goalies, um, you know, great defense, and 4 lines we can roll every night, so, um, you know, we’re gonna to give ourselves a chance to win every night and, uh. You know that’s why we’re confident group. You guys had some great chances early in the last game and just weren’t able to put any of it in the net in that first period, you know, what did you like about that start and what do you think is kind of the difference in finishing in those chances? Um, yeah, we had uh You know, good start, good jump, um, you know, we’re looking for that again tonight, um. We know they’re going to come out buzzing here in front of their home fans. Um, you know, we want to continue to. You keep shooting the puck, keep getting traffic on the goalie, and um you know hopefully we’ll sneak one in there. We asked Tyler last game about you two playing together for more than a decade. Is it fun still because I would’ve seen you out in like a practice or pregame skate. You just, I mean, it looks like it was 10 and 12 years ago. Yeah, um, it’s been a minute, but it’s always fun when we uh you know, reconnect and play the same line. Obviously we’ve been together for a while now here, um, been through a lot together, so, um, you know, it’s fun playing with him. He looks back at the journey. Do you ever look back and think it’s been this long. Different different brains. I don’t know if you even need to think about that. It’s kind of crazy how fast time goes, uh, in this league, but, um, you know, we’re trying to stay in the moment here and uh. Enjoy these games together and hopefully get a big win tonight. I saw after the last game, I think you got to put the puck in the board after the win. Is that just a cool thing? It’s like wearing a cowboy hat. It’s just part of being being on a team and being a rookie to do that in a Stanley Cup playoff games got to be cool. Yeah, it’s really special. I mean this, this whole team, we have such good players. I mean. All the players will deserve to get a puck in the hole there and last time it was me, but it was for sure a team effort. When you look at how much he’s getting stirred up around Miko, he obviously deserves all of it, but it is interesting too how they push to show just how deep this team is and how everybody’s important. Yeah, I think Miko has been playing really good. We need him for sure, but. Also, like other players have been playing really good that aren’t scoring so many goals, so it’s for sure we need the whole team to do — a long and deep play
— from. With the challenge of Winnipeg, obviously you got team last game. They’re going to be more revved up second game. Is there anything that they do well that makes it difficult to play against them. I think we have to watch ourselves getting better in our own game. And uh I think when, when we play good, when we play our way, it’s hard for any opponent to beat us. Pete has really praised the work with you and Alex together um in this playoff run, especially for this team that only really played 4 or 5 defense in last year. How do you feel about the way you guys have been able to contribute and just how the 1st 8 games have gone? Yeah, I think me and Petts just keep it really simple. We play those 10 to 15 minutes a game, um, just really solid, um. Defending hard, getting pucks to the net, just basic and easy stuff, but it’s really important for the for the the coach or for the whole team that when we’re out there we don’t make any mistakes so that the coaches can trust us. What does Alex do well that you like playing with him? I mean, everything, it’s just an easy guy to play next with just all the details really sharp and. She’s a great guy too, um, so it’s a, it’s a, — it’s a lot of fun
— for sure. Does he like talk, like communicate out there? Uh, not at all, no. No, we, we, we, we talk a lot. I mean the last two years we have been playing all of games together. I’m in DA now up here. And for sure we, we have something together and um it’s, it’s easy to go along with uh Curtis McKenzie got uh the community service ward down there. It’s kind of a big deal. What was it like playing with him I mean he’s been a big part of this organization for a long time. Yeah, he’s, um, first of all, a great person. Um, he’s a awesome family, kids and wife. And um it’s no surprise he he win this trophy. He’s doing so much for the community, for the whole team, for the, yeah, for the Texas Stars, um, it’s uh it’s great to see him, yeah, winning this award.

The Stars, who lead the Jets 1-0 in the series, look to capitalize in Game 2 on Friday night.