The names Matt Migliaccio and Justin Tobe had might as well be superglued together for the next several months, because rarely will you hear one mentioned without the other.
The young goaltenders have almost morphed into one entity in the minds of Spartan fans this fall.
They aren’t viewed as “Matt” and “Justin,” they’re just the two unknown, unproved goalies whose combined talents must replace one superstar - Ryan Miller.
“We’re goalie partners, that’s the way it’s supposed to be,” Migliaccio said with a laugh.
In reality, of course, Migliaccio, a 20-year-old sophomore, and Tobe, a 17-year-old freshman, are quite different people.
Whereas Migliaccio is bigger, older and wiser, Tobe is outspoken and probably more talented. But despite their differences and the built-in competition, the two have forged a friendship in their first few months together.
“We’ve already had some of those conversations that friends talk about,” Migliaccio said. “He’s a great guy to talk to about hockey or life in general. It’s amazing how quickly we clicked.
“It’s weird, he’s three or four years younger than me, but he’s very mature for his age.”
Tobe, who sped up his high school curriculum to come to MSU a year early, had similar niceties to say about his new goalie buddy.
“We’re close,” Tobe said. “Obviously, I’m new here, so he’s showing me stuff he knows, not just on the ice, but off the ice, too. He has helped me fit in with the guys, helped me with school and helped me with hockey drills.”
But being friends only goes so far. Above all, they are competitors and both players ultimately want to be MSU’s No. 1 goaltender - a distinction for one.
Neither Migliaccio nor Tobe will deny that they face an immense challenge this season. MSU’s entire team is built around solid defense and goaltending, and their predecessor Miller was a two-time All-American and a Hobey Baker Award winner before leaving school early to sign with the Buffalo Sabres.
New MSU head coach Rick Comley even hypothesized that last year’s Spartan team, which finished 27-9-5, would have lost eight to 10 more games if Miller hadn’t been in net.
“My perception is that at times (the Spartans) were very sloppy in what they let come at the net last year, and Ryan Miller bailed them out,” Comley said. “I’ve watched a lot of video, and I believe we have to play better team defense in front of these two young goalies to give them a chance to do well.
Comley added that one goaltender has to emerge and be able to have a goals against average of 2.50, and make the saves that need to be made.
“If poor-angle or poor-quality shots start to go in, then you start playing desperation defense,” he said
“You can’t be a good offensive team if you don’t have good goaltending.”
Comley said he will split the goaltending chores for as long as it takes for one goalie to prove he’s better than the other. In the meantime, both Migliaccio and Tobe will see action this weekend - against each other in Friday’s Green and White game and as teammates in an exhibition game against the Under-18 U.S. National Development Team on Saturday.
“I feel I’m playing the best I’ve ever played, to tell you the truth,” Migliaccio said. “I feel in a groove. The pucks are hitting me well and they’re going in the corners. I feel in a rhythm and real confident and comfortable out there.”
His new pal Tobe also is looking forward to the season’s onset, but he’s trying to keep things in perspective.
“I don’t personally think that Matt or I are going to be a Ryan Miller-type goalie right away,” Tobe said. “But when Ryan Miller came into college, he also wasn’t at the point he’s at right now.
“Matt and I are definitely good enough goalies to play the college game. We’re going to be able to keep our team in games and steal some games for our team, but obviously a big part of college hockey is the learning process. We’re going to have to adjust.”
