December 10 postgame quotes: Kempe and Purcell

Adrian Kempe, on the fast start after last night’s rough first period:
The two last games we played, two games ago, I think we started good and then they came back. Last game yesterday they started really good and we weren’t really there and then we came back in the third and did a really good job. I think the good start tonight was really important for us. I think we played pretty good the whole 60 minutes so I think that was an important game for us.

Kempe, on breaking his goal drought:
I felt pretty good the last three games. I think I played more aggressive and more desperate in front of the net. That pays off and I think the first games I played I didn’t play good enough and the last three games I played more desperate and more aggressive and that pays off, too. You’ve got to put in the work. It was nice to have a goal tonight, too. [Reporter: How frustrating was that drought, just trying to get going?] It’s always tough when I create a lot of chances too. Every game I have a lot of chances so it’s always frustrating when you don’t score. Sometimes you have those games and tonight I had one so that was good for me. [Reporter: Can you walk us through your goal?] The puck was bouncing in front of the net. Augie hit it and then, I don’t know, I just tried to shoot the puck towards the net because the goalie wasn’t even there. Just started whacking at it and it was nice to see it go in.

Kempe, on what the energy is like in the locker room now:
It’s good. We got a point every game so far these last three games. It’s good. As I said, we played a good 60 minutes tonight so the team was really happy about that and I think the coaches were too.

Teddy Purcell, on having points in every game and embracing being with the Reign:
I came down here with a good attitude. The team had been on a bit of a roll before I got here so it’s nice to contribute and get five of the last six points. The coaches give me a lot of ice time which I wasn’t seeing up there. First game was a bit of an adjustment of I need an oxygen tank a few times on the bench. It feels good. I feel like I’m confident out there. There’s some things I still have to work on. I talked with Dean and trying to work on those things. But when you get points and you feel good with the puck, good things happen. Playing with good linemates, our power play’s going well. It’s fun to play right now.

Purcell, on the importance of a better start after last night’s loss:
We were kind of lucky that they played last night too because we were pretty tired this morning traveling and it’s been a tough schedule for these guys. It was nice to get a couple early, kind of takes some of the pressure off I guess and you kind of go out and play your game instead of pressing a little bit.

Purcell, on whether he feels he’s found his stride:
Yeah, I mean, there’s still all these things you can work on. You never want to be satisfied but any time you’re contributing and you feel good about your game it’s good for your confidence. You have a great coach like Stutts who’s giving me lots of ice time so I’ve got to thank him.

Purcell, on his thoughts of linemate Mike Amadio:
He’s really composed for his age. I didn’t know a whole lot of these guys coming down. Played with [them] a little bit in camp but most of the young guys are really nervous and they’re in and out before the older guys. But, for a young player he’s very mature for his age. He does a lot of the little things right that will give him a good chance at playing at the next level. For a young guy when he’s putting pucks in the back of the net he’s going to feel good about himself too so it’s nice to see.