MARQUETTE - MSU’s first ever memory of the Berry Events Center won’t be a happy one.
Northern Michigan defenseman Sean Connolly snapped MSU’s streak of 37 consecutive penalty kills with a power play goal at 9:44 of the third period, lifting the Wildcats to a 3-2 upset win over No. 1 MSU on Friday.
Northern carried a 2-0 lead into the third period, but allowed MSU to tie the game before Connolly’s heroics. The game was the first for the Spartans at the 15-month-old Berry Center.
The teams will rematch Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.
MSU sophomore goaltender Ryan Miller made 26 saves in a losing effort. It’s the first time he’s lost back-to-back games as a Spartan.
And, following a 4-3 loss to Michigan last weekend, he has allowed three or more goals in consecutive games after only surrendering three or more twice in his first 24 starts.
Wildcat left wing Ryan Riipi scored the game’s first goal, lifting a backhand over Miller 4:41 into the game. The tally whipped the already-animated crowd into a frenzy.
Northern carried the 1-0 lead into the second period, but things could have been worse for MSU.
MSU junior defenseman Jon Insana misplayed a puck at the offensive zone blue line leading to a 2-on-0 chance for Wildcat right wing Bryce Cockburn and center Chad Theuer to score on Miller.
The duo played a game of give-and-go, taking Miller totally out of position, but Cockburn’s shot sailed wide of the open net, keeping MSU’s deficit at 1-0.
Wildcat defenseman Colin Young doubled Northern’s lead to 2-0 with 1:36 remaining in the second period when his wrist shot deflected off a Spartan and past Miller.
But just when it looked like Northern was going to shut the door on MSU, two struggling Spartans scored goals 15 seconds apart early in the third period to drastically change the face of the game.
Junior right wing Adam Hall showed great speed to chase down a puck sliding slowly toward Northern goaltender Dan Ragusett and blasted home his team-leading 13th goal of the season 4:20 into the third period. Hall had only scored three goals in his last 12 games before Friday.
Junior center Joe Goodenow then tied the game at 2-2 with his first goal of the season at 4:35 of the period. Goodenow has missed 14 games this season with a right shoulder injury and had not scored since March 10 of last season.
After Connolly got the lead back, the Wildcats clamped down on MSU’s attack. Ragusett made 26 saves for the win.
The Berry Center was easily the most hostile environment in which MSU has played this season. The 3,909 fans constantly rattled noisemakers and chanted in Miller’s direction.
Signs reading “Miller time is up!” and “Hobie (sic) Sieve” referenced the NCAA-leading Spartan goaltender’s bid for the Hobey Baker Award.
