Top-ranked MSU’s two-game series against Lake Superior State wasn’t much more than target practice for the Spartans, who outshot the Lakers 85-33 Thursday and Friday at Munn Ice Arena.
MSU’s re-emphasis on offensive production was plainly evident in the sweep, as the Spartans (2-0-1 overall, 2-0-1 CCHA) torched the Lakers (0-2-0, 0-2-0) for 11 total goals - a number the Spartans only eclipsed in one CCHA series last season.
Ron Mason, MSU’s head coach of 23 seasons, has encouraged this year’s team to utilize its raw offensive talents, even at the expense of the Spartans’ time-tested defensive tradition.
At one point in the second period of Friday’s 6-1 win, all five Spartan skaters darted below the circles in the Laker zone - a move that would have been sacrilegious for a Mason-coached team in recent years.
“Our system that we’re playing gives us an opportunity to pursue a little bit more,” said Mason, who earned his 899th career win Friday. “And we’ve got more goal scorers on the team this year. I mean, there are some kids that can put the puck in the net.”
Mason, who is already college hockey’s all-time winningest coach, will take aim at his 900th career victory Saturday against Ferris State (2-0-0, 0-0-0) at Munn. His overall record stands at 899-371-79.
Senior center Joe Goodenow helped Mason secure No. 899 with a pair of goals Friday night - giving him a team-leading three tallies through three games.
“I should have had about five, six goals tonight, but you know how that goes,” said Goodenow, who also notched an assist Friday. “I had lots of chances, but I guess when you’re not getting chances, that’s when you worry.”
Friday’s balanced Spartan attack featured 10 different point scorers and overwhelmed the Laker net with 46 shots.
Mason said the less-restrained offensive game plan puts a little more stress on the MSU defense.
“There were a few times we were caught flat-footed and a few other times when we gave up 2-on-1s, which you could count on one hand the whole season last year,” Mason said. “We’re going to have to recognize situations a little differently because a lot of times our forwards are going to be out of position.”
But junior defenseman Brad Fast actually said the new system can make things simpler on the defensive unit.
“When you’re playing offense, it’s a lot easier than back there playing defense in our own zone all night,” Fast said. “It’s a different Spartan team than (the crowd) is used to seeing and they’re kind of on the edge of their seats. You can definitely sense the excitement out there.”
The controlling MSU defense only surrendered 19 shots Friday and junior goaltender Ryan Miller made 18 saves for the win. He was one redirected shot away from his sixth career shutout of the Lakers.
Laker defenseman Jeff Mushaluk took advantage of a Spartan turnover and ripped a slap shot that deflected over Miller’s shoulder, halving MSU’s lead to 2-1 with 6:19 left in the first period.
But Goodenow and junior left wing Brian Maloney scored 54 seconds apart early in the second period, sparking four unanswered Spartan goals to close the game.
Complementing Goodenow’s two-goal effort, freshman forward Lee Falardeau tallied a goal and two assists, and Fast and junior right wing Steve Jackson each contributed a goal and an assist Friday.
“We’re allowing a lot of young players, who maybe don’t have the size, strength and experience, to use the skills they have,” Mason said. “As they get better, we’ll become a little more consistent in the style of game we play.”
One of those young players Mason has cut loose is Falardeau, who scored his first three points of the season Friday.
“It’s a lot of fun out there,” Falardeau said. “Getting in the zone hard, crashing their defensemen - it’s a lot of fun.”
