May 18 postgame quotes: Willie Mitchell

On feeling like they have experience in coming back in playoff series:
Yeah, I think. We were fortunate enough a few years ago to win and you never win it the same way. You have to win it different ways, face different adversities. Definitely looking for a better start in here and bury some chances and clean things up and move onto Game 2.

On when he realized he would be in the game:
I talked to Darryl this morning. I was itching for the last series, but it was kind of a quick turnaround after the injury. I didn’t have many practices. So this morning he had a chat with me and I was in. It was exciting. I’m excited that my teammates gave me this opportunity with the way they played last round. It was a hard fought series against the Ducks and it gave me the opportunity to get in here and be a part of this. I just wish it was a better result for us.

On how he felt in the game:
I felt pretty good actually. They say the first one is always the easiest because you’re so full of adrenaline. It’s the second and third after being off for a couple of weeks where you kind of have to play a smarter game. It felt good. Hopefully I continue to build on my game and help my mates out.

On how they played:
I think we played fine, as Darryl would say ‘OK is not OK.’ Like I said, that’s a real good hockey club over there so you’re going to have to play a great game to beat them. We’re going to look to regroup and do a better job.

On sitting out the series against Anaheim:
It’s always tough this time of year. Last year I sat out a lot more… I think when you’re hurt and you can’t play, it’s maybe a little bit easier. When you’re injured and you feel like you’re right there and you can maybe play, I think that’s when it pulls on the strings a little bit harder. Like I said, I’m very fortunate that my teammates pulled through and gave me this opportunity to get in the Western Conference Finals and suit up and play a good team and be a part of all this.

On if there is anything that can be done to better explain goalie interference penalties:
I don’t know. It’s tough, you’re putting me on the spot here. There are a lot of emotions after a game. I might have to digest a little more. We’re always about, as a league, speeding the game up and doing things that way. So I think when you put things in place, it does slow the game down. But maybe that’s something you look at down the road. Those calls, sometimes they’re tough to make on the fly. It gives the ability to maybe to get a longer look at calls. I don’t know what that answer is though.

On gaining some momentum from the disallowed goal:
Yeah, we managed to score one right after that. We were hoping that was going to turn the tides. Like I said, a few mistakes and you clean those up and get going.