Rick DiPietro Time Quotations

Obviously, you're going to have jitters the first time you play in this event, but at the end of the day, it's still the same game.

We're on a downward slide, and things have to change quickly. It's frustrating. Every time we take a step in the right direction, we immediately take a step backward.

I thought we had a good shot all along. As far back as we were, we realized we weren't playing our best hockey. Guys have been waiting patiently to turn things around. It's starting to happen now and it's an exciting time for us.

I'm from the same town (Winthrop, Mass.) as Mike Eruzione, so every time you walk around the corner that's all you hear about is Mike and the '80 Olympic team. I think this group of guys has a strong feeling of pride about playing for our country.

If you have any pride or love for this team, you can't go out and lay eggs. This is a big time of year, regardless of the situation. We've got to come out and play hard.

It's tough. It's definitely tough. It's a sad time for all of us. I thought we were playing our best hockey as a team. It's tough now to see some of your buddies leave. It'll be tough sledding here for the next 21 games.

It's random testing, right, ... They see me and every time it's, 'OK Rick, you're up.'

Every time you go to the rink and get ready for the season, it weighs on your mind,

It was just a chance to play some competitive hockey for the first time in a bunch of months with the lockout.

It seems like every time we play someone who's from here or who has played here, they have big nights. It's good for him. He's a great kid ... Hopefully he can continue it, just not against us.