Kalamazoo - Sixth-ranked MSU had the pedal to the metal in Friday’s 6-3 win over Western Michigan, but the Spartans’ offensive fuel tank went dry a night later as they sputtered to a 2-0 loss in Kalamazoo.
The Spartans (16-5-2 overall, 11-4-1 CCHA) seemed to get all the bounces in the series opener at Munn Ice Arena, but MSU players and coaches were left scratching their heads after their luck took a 180-degree turn Saturday at hostile Lawson Arena.
Western (12-9-3, 6-8-2) packed 4,575 rowdy fans into Lawson for a “Black Out” promotion Saturday, and the arena continued to be an Achilles’ heel for the Spartans. After Saturday’s loss, MSU is 5-13-1 there since 1991.
Bronco goaltender Jeff Reynaert, who relieved Mike Mantua for the last two periods Friday, played a big role in Saturday’s upset by stopping all 24 shots he faced. He also got help from the crossbar, which absorbed two shots from MSU senior right wing Adam Hall and sent them harmlessly away from the net.
The shutout was MSU’s first blanking since its 2-0 loss to North Dakota in last season’s Frozen Four. Despite the goose egg on the scoreboard, MSU head coach Ron Mason said he was pleased with the way his team handled the unfriendly environment and roughness of the game.
“We played well enough to score two goals tonight,” Mason said with a frustrated grin. “It was just one of those games. Hallsy hit the crossbar twice, another time the puck was spinning around behind their goalie and our guys didn’t get to it. It could’ve been quite a different game.
“(The Broncos) were just the opportunists. I’m not down on the players for a game like this - they played hard and kept their composure in a hyper game.”
Even so, the Spartans’ five overall losses and four league losses already equal their respective totals from last season. Still, MSU is tied with Michigan atop the CCHA, thanks to U-M’s loss to Alaska-Fairbanks on Saturday.
And the Spartans can’t dwell too long on Saturday’s loss - they play at Ferris State at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday.
One of MSU’s downfalls was its usually reliable power play. Not only did the unit struggle to a 1-for-11 mark (0-for-5 in the loss), but the Spartans gave up short-handed goals both nights.
Saturday’s short-handed goal, by Bronco center Chad Kline 1:53 into the second period, turned out to be the game-winner. Center Shaun Rose tallied an insurance goal with 5:35 to play.
“They scored that short-handed goal and it took a lot of wind out of our sails,” senior defenseman Jon Insana said. “We just kind of got that feeling that it was going to be a real battle to even put one in. The overall feel of the game was a little different (than Friday) and I think a lot of that was because of the crowd.”
Friday was definitely much happier in Spartanland. Behind two goals from Hall and 15 saves by MSU junior goaltender Ryan Miller, MSU snapped a four-game winless streak against the Broncos and also set a school-record 30-game home unbeaten streak.
“Every team plays better at home,” said senior left wing Joe Goodenow, who scored Friday’s game-winner. “We were pretty strong in their end, protecting the puck and the guys were penetrating and getting chances.
“Sometimes, you just cycle, cycle, cycle and don’t get chances on net. Tonight, we were cycling, but we were going to the net with it and getting chances and it seemed like everything was going in.”
Miller didn’t look as comfortable as usual Friday, but a potent MSU attack amassed a 40-18 shot advantage and simply outgunned Western.
“There are a lot of good teams in this league,” Mason said. “(Western) is a team that’s kind of in the middle of the pack and you can see how good they really are.”
Senior defenseman Andrew Hutchinson, freshman center Lee Falardeau and junior left wing Brian Maloney also scored for MSU on Friday.
Injury update: Sophomore defenseman Joe Markusen missed Saturday’s game with a chest contusion he suffered in the third period Friday. Markusen said Sunday afternoon that his status is uncertain for Tuesday.
