U-M talented, but Spartans will be ready

U-M is No. 1 in the nation for hockey.

Kristi Jourdan

I’m not worried.

The Wolverines happen to be playing the Spartans — the defending national champions. Ever heard of them?

MSU’s got a few odds working in its favor in addition to last year’s championship trophy. The big guns on the team are finally heating up, and this game should be enough to get them amped for the remainder of the season.

Junior goaltender Jeff Lerg is a brick wall with a shutout against the Buckeyes, a nearly .960 save percentage and a 1.32 GAA. Junior forward Tim Kennedy’s assist streak coupled with junior forward Justin Abdelkader’s recent scoring streak are exactly what the team needs to get a quick first-period goal to jump ahead.

History shows the Spartans have struggled against the Wolverines, especially in Ann Arbor. However, MSU’s strong penalty kill, which extended to 28 consecutive penalties killed in the Ohio State series, will be enough to keep the Spartans’ heads above water.

U-M has the nation’s leading scorer, which is something Lerg will need to keep his eyes on. But because of the exciting playoff-type atmosphere of the game, MSU’s defense will be on its toes to give Lerg a hand when he needs it. Just stay out of his blind spots and let him see the puck all the way.

The rivalry between the two schools is larger than just an athletic contest, but it isn’t until we meet for these events does the strong dislike truly shine through.

There is no other type of rivalry like this. Sure, U-M will ramble on about that “little brother” trash talk or that this isn’t an encounter they look forward to every season.

And sure, some of the players on both teams know each other from past hockey events, camps and the like, but when it’s game time, any trace of friendship quickly fades away.

It’s all business.

Although MSU typically does not fare well against that school down the road, the desire to catch the league leaders is too strong to falter. The No. 6 Spartans are out to prove that last year’s national title was hard-earned — not just a fluke. The college hockey community paints a bull’s-eye on the backs of the Spartans because there’s no sweeter victory than squashing the defending champions.

You’re fooling yourself if you think the MSU hockey team doesn’t realize this.

The guys will be ready this weekend to play some hard fought hockey. Don’t worry, Lerg, Kennedy, Abdelkader and company are ready to go.

And they’re coming to a town near you.

It won’t be easy, and no one expects it to be. But the Spartans are equipped with the essentials to defeat the riddle that is the No. 1 Wolverines.