MSU head coach Ron Mason tried just about every coaching ploy in his repertoire this weekend, but it still didn’t equate to a CCHA Tournament championship.
Mason overhauled his forward lines right in the middle of MSU’s 2-1 win over Northern Michigan on Saturday and the Spartans’ 3-2 loss to archrival Michigan in Sunday’s title game.
By the end of the Northern game, MSU’s top line had a 67 percent turnover, with senior right wing Adam Hall as the only constant. Freshman center Ash Goldie replaced fellow rookie Jim Slater and junior left wing Steve Clark replaced freshman Brock Radunske.
Slater moved down to the third line and Radunske to the fourth. The switch didn’t directly lead to any goals, but it seemed to spark the stagnant Spartans.
“I just tried to do something to pick up our step,” Mason said. “Sometimes that’s what it takes. If they’re out there playing with different people, then they don’t think - they just play. That’s when you’re at your best.
“I thought the adjustment really helped us out.”
Goldie has moved up to the top line during previous games - most notably for the third period of MSU’s come-from-behind tie at Ohio State on Feb. 2.
“We just kept switching lines out there to see who could get things going,” Goldie said Saturday. “We played good out there, all three of us together, so it worked out well.”
Clark played well enough Saturday to earn another midgame promotion during Sunday’s game. He scored his first goal of the season on an odd deflection in the second period, and then played a regular shift on the third line with Goldie and freshman forward Mike Lalonde for most of the third.
“I always like it if it ends up where I’m getting to play,” Clark said Sunday. “I don’t think it’s tough changing in the middle of the game. We all play together and practice together every day.
“Even the guys who got demoted, or put down to the fourth line, they were nothing but positive on the bench - supporting us in every way.”
Redshirt freshman right wing Steve Swistak also got a significant bump in ice time Sunday, leaving the fourth line in the third period for the second line with senior left wing Joe Goodenow and freshman center Lee Falardeau.
“Obviously, I’m disappointed the team lost, but personally, I was happy with myself,” Swistak said.
Swistak, Part II
When MSU and U-M faced off at the Joe on Feb. 16, both Swistak and his cousin, Wolverine forward J.J. Swistak, were healthy scratches from their respective lineups.
That wasn’t the case Sunday. Not only did both Swistaks dress, they were even together on the ice a few times.
“It was quite a unique experience,” MSU’s Steve Swistak said. “I don’t know too many players who get to play against family like that. But when you’re playing, you forget all about that. It’s just yellow jerseys out there, and I’m wearing a green one.
“If he had the puck and I had to hit him, that’s the way it would go.”
Clark, Part II
Clark was obviously pumped after his first goal of the season - so much so that he leveled MSU senior defenseman Jon Insana during his celebration.
“I was a little bit excited and I just jumped at him,” Clark said. “It caught him by surprise, I think, and he ended up on his back.
“It was a nice cushion, though, once I fell on him.”
See the Spartans
Tickets for the West Regional at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor are still available for $60. MSU Athletic Ticket Office representative Dorn McGaw said MSU’s block of 500 tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. today to season-ticket-holders (regular and student). Call (517)355-1610 or (800)GO-STATE for more information.
Also, about 600 tickets remain through U-M at (734)764-0247 or on www.mgoblue.com. The passes are good for all four games of the regional, which runs Friday and Saturday.
This weekend’s games will be on WVFN (730-AM). TV details are still being ironed out.
Buy ’em a blender
Reserve senior goaltender Nathan Shopbell, 23, got engaged to longtime girlfriend Kristi Nichols, a botany senior, earlier this month.
The couple, which has been together for three and a half years, is planning for a fall 2003 wedding.
Rakin’ in the dough
MSU’s charity broomball game last month at Munn Ice Arena raised $11,935 for the Children’s Miracle Network at Sparrow Hospital.
