Versatility has been the name of Jared Nightingale’s game so far this season.
The 6-foot-2, 191-pound freshman is a defenseman by trade, but he has played half of MSU’s games as the fourth-line right wing this year.
Where Nightingale lines up on a given night seems to depend on whether freshman defenseman Evan Shaw is playing or not.
If Shaw dresses, Nightingale shifts to forward. If Shaw is scratched, Nightingale stays on defense.
The seesawing of duties might appear to be quite a challenge - especially for such a young player - but Nightingale said he doesn’t mind.
“Whatever coach needs me to do,” said Nightingale, who played a handful of games at forward in junior hockey. “I’m getting more and more used to (playing forward) every game.
“I’ve just gotta go out there and hit and get the puck deep because I’m not going to score a lot.”
MSU head coach Rick Comley said the experiment will probably only last until he can definitively identify the team’s six best defensemen. But at the same time, he hinted that Nightingale could split time between forward and defense for a while longer.
“Whether I do it every game, I don’t know,” Comley said. “A lot of coaches like to play seven defensemen if you get the chance just to protect yourself injurywise.
“Nightingale’s a big, strong kid, and I think he can handle it. I wouldn’t put him there if I didn’t think he could handle it.”
Senior defenseman Brad Fast also believes Nightingale can contribute at both positions.
“He’s doing wonderful,” Fast said. “You can ask him to do anything, and he won’t second-guess you at all.
“He keeps things simple and does the little things that make differences out there.”
Several other Spartans have also played out of position on occasion, as Comley continues to search for the best lineup combination.
At various times, centers Lee Falardeau and Tim Hearon have played left wing, center Nenad Gajic and left wing Mike Lalonde have played right wing, and left wing Brock Radunske has played center.
Fast has even played forward on a few power-play units.
Golf shot
The aforementioned Hearon pretty much shares his name with professional golfer Tim Herron. (Both surnames are pronounced HAIR-un.)
The golfing Herron led the first three rounds of the PGA Buick Challenge last weekend, but he faltered Sunday and finished tied for 10th at 20-under par.
The 5-foot-9, 167-pound hockey playing Hearon said the similarities between him and the portly putter go no further than a similar name and a love of golf.
“I try to hit it straight, but it doesn’t go that far,” Hearon said. “But he’s a big, old fat guy that’s pretty good. I always get jokes about that.
“I never really check on him unless he’s doing really good, but I saw the headline in the paper over the weekend about him leading the tournament.”
Munn madness
Comley brought up the noise level at Munn Ice Arena - traditionally one of the calmest rinks in the CCHA - after both of MSU’s wins over Lake Superior State last weekend.
“It’s a great atmosphere, I think,” Comley said Saturday.
“I know people complain about the crowd not being loud enough, but I’m a great, great believer that if you provide entertainment, noise will follow.”
On Friday, after a five-goal third-period outburst by the Spartans, Comley said, “The crowd wasn’t quiet in the third period because there were lots of reasons to cheer. Teams have a tendency to create quiet.”
Small improvement
The Spartans (4-2-0 overall, 3-1-0 CCHA) are No. 12 in the USCHO.com and USA Today/American Hockey Magazine national rankings this week after sweeping the Lakers.
MSU was No. 12 in USCHO and No. 13 in USA Today before the series.
The Spartans have a bye this week, and will return to action Nov. 8 for two home games against Niagara.
