MSU senior right wing Adam Hall knocked in two power play goals less than eight minutes into the game and recorded his first career hat trick as the Spartans breezed past UMass-Amherst 6-1 Friday night at Munn Ice Arena.
Hall’s second man-advantage tally was his 100th career point, and his four-point night Friday took his career totals to 66 goals and 36 assists.
The fourth-ranked Spartans (6-2-1 overall, 5-2-1 CCHA) outshot the Minutemen (3-4) 34-29 and MSU junior goaltender Ryan Miller made 22 saves for the win.
Hall, who missed considerable practice time this week while nursing a “skate bite” above his ankle, showed no ill effects Friday. He notched his first goal at 3:51 of the first period, five seconds into an MSU power play.
Freshman center Ash Goldie tapped an offensive zone face-off to junior defenseman John-Michael Liles, who sent a soft shot toward UMass goaltender Mike Johnson. Before the shot reached the crease, Hall redirected the puck over Johnson’s shoulder to start his three-goal night.
He struck again at 7:28 of the period, taking advantage of weak penalty killing by UMass.
Junior left wing Brian Maloney fed Hall, stationed to Johnson’s right, with a perfect cross-ice pass, and Hall had enough time to pick an opening between Johnson’s legs and give MSU a 2-0 lead.
Junior defenseman Brad Fast extended MSU’s lead to 3-0 at 14:17 of the first period, thanks to more phantom defense from the Minutemen.
Following a face-off win by freshman center Lee Falardeau, Fast collected the puck above the left circle and skated uninhibited to the front of the net. The lone UMass defenseman in front of the crease opted to defend the passing lane instead of the puck, allowing Fast to beat Johnson with a low wrist shot for his third goal of the season.
The game remained 3-0 until Hall buzzed a wrist shot past Johnson for the hat trick at 14:10 of the second - giving him a team-leading six goals this season. The hat trick was the first for an MSU player since Jan. 20, when former right wing John Nail recorded one against Miami (Ohio).
A smattering of hats from the crowd floated to the ice, causing a brief delay.
When play resumed, freshman left wing Brock Radunske tapped in his second goal of the season just 14 seconds after Hall’s tally to make it 5-0.
Hall completed his four-point night with an assist on Liles’ third goal of the season at 5:34 of the third period.
Miller’s bid for his 22nd career shutout ended at 9:19 of the third when a collision behind the MSU net left Miller out of position and Minuteman center Thomas Pock bounced a long shot into the net.
Freshman goaltender Matt Migliaccio replaced Miller with 9:02 to play and made six saves.
The Spartan power play finished 2-for-7.
With the victory, MSU extended its home unbeaten streak to 23 games (21-0-2) since Oct. 20, 2000. The Spartans continue their seven-game homestand next weekend with a CCHA series against Miami at Munn.
Early intermission: Problems with the ice in front of the UMass bench prompted officials to send the teams to the locker room with 1:19 left in the second period. A work crew and the ice resurfacer repaired the problem and the remaining 21:19 were played on the fresh ice.
