SAY WHAT: 'HE WAS THE DIFFERENCE'

COACH GEOFF WARD ON CAM TALBOT:

"He was oustanding. He was the reason we won the hockey game. He's been real good for us. I have no qualms at all. There wasn't even a question of changing goalies going into this game today. He's been so solid for us. We had confidence he'd come out today, battle for us and give us a chance, and he did that. He was the difference in the hockey game."

ON MATTHEW TKACHUK MISSING THE GAME:

"He does so much for our team. It's a huge hole for us. Saying that, it's a day-by-day situation with him and we're hopeful he'll be back for Game 4. But in saying that, the most important lineup is the one that's on the ice. It's unfortunate that we don't have him, but it's an opportunity for other guys, and the guys that came in did a really, really good job. Zac Rinaldo did great on the second goal with that screen in front. Alan Quine was really good, gave our team some energy. ... In light of the fact that Matthew wasn't able to play, we got some guys stepping up in lots of different areas, and that's a positive thing."

ON THE VICTORY:

"It wasn't our best effort but there's no such thing as a bad win. A win's a win. There are some things we want to take and address, but... We'll take 17 more ugly wins if that's what it takes. We know we have to be better. We know we haven't put our full game on the ice in the series, but we're not making any excuses for winning the hockey game."

TALBOT ON THE STARS:

"We knew they were going to have a push. We had a good first period and knew we were going to get their best in the second and third. They came out and were humming. ... I tried to control the rebounds and not give them too many second opportunities, because that's what they feed off. ... Guys did a great job letting me see that first shot."

ON BACK-TO-BACK LATE STARTS:

"These 8:30 games, they mess with your sleep patterns. It's not just a conditioning thing, it's a mental thing just from playing a lot of hockey. But I'll give credit to the guys who came to the rink, ready to battle, and we came out with a big win."

TOBIAS RIEDER ON TALBOT:

"I've always thought he's a great goalie. Everybody has an off year. Everyone (knew) he could play better. He's just been outstanding and when he's on his game, he's one of the top goalies in the league. That's how we was for us in Edmonton, too. He stole games for us there."

ON BEING OUTSHOT IN GAME:

"I don't think we have to be worried. We haven't played our best this series. We know we can play way better and that's what we're going to do next game."

MIKAEL BACKLUND ON THE PK:

I think we've been really aggressive this whole tournament on our PK. ... We haven't been cheating, we've been playing within our system and when the chances are there, we've been going for it. And we've been successful.

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