This weekend is as good as any for the fifth-place MSU hockey team to take a significant leap in the CCHA standings.
The Spartans (14-9-2 overall, 10-6-1 CCHA) start a two-game series with Miami (Ohio) tonight at Munn Ice Arena. MSU, which is 6-0-1 in its last seven games, has won eight straight contests against the RedHawks - and Miami hasn't won at Munn since Feb. 14, 1997.
Without a doubt, the Spartans have dominated the RedHawks (15-11-2, 9-9-2) in recent years. Another sweep this weekend would probably vault MSU into the thick of the league race because all four of the teams ahead of the Spartans will play a difficult series of their own this weekend.
Actually, fourth-place Western Michigan doesn't have a series at all. The Broncos, who are one point ahead of MSU, have a bye, which means they won't be able to add to their point total.
Meanwhile, first-place Ferris State plays a home-and-home series against second-place Michigan starting tonight in Ann Arbor. Ohio State, which is tied with U-M for second, plays at Notre Dame. The Spartans are two points behind the Buckeyes and Wolverines, and six points behind Ferris.
"It's fun to watch and see who's playing who and see what could happen in the standings," sophomore goaltender Matt Migliaccio said. "There are some good games that are going to be going on this weekend, but you really have to stay focused on who you're playing. Every game is critical."
The RedHawks are in sixth place, one point behind MSU. Miami has been steadily falling since going 12-3-1 in the first two months of the season. Since December started, the RedHawks are 3-8-1 and have not won back-to-back games.
"Either they've come back a little bit, or everybody else has caught up," MSU head coach Rick Comley said. "But they pursue the puck hard, and I think they're well-coached. They have an identifiable style of play - they flood the ice, and they're definitely not a controlled, laid-back team. They've certainly been a much better team at home than they have been on the road."
Miami split a home series with Ferris last weekend, while MSU took three points out of a trip to Notre Dame.
Offensively, the Spartans ride sophomore center Ash Goldie's nine-game point streak into tonight's matchup. Goldie had an assist in both games against the Fighting Irish last weekend. He has two goals and nine assists during the streak, which is MSU's longest of the season.
"I'm just glad that I have it because it just shows that I'm helping the team out in some way," Goldie said. "It kind of gives you some confidence when you go out there. I feel great out there lately, so I'm just trying to keep it rolling till the end of the year."
Defensively, the Spartans will focus on Miami's two big scoring threats - forwards Mike Kompon and Greg Hogeboom. Kompon is second in scoring in the league with 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists). Hogeboom is fifth with 31 points (17, 14).
"They've got some threats, and I know we definitely have to be aware of those two because they're on the leader board," Migliaccio said. "We have a tough team coming into our house, and we really don't want to give anything up to them. We've got to get four points this weekend."
MSU sophomore right wing Mike Lalonde, who suffered a knee injury in the first period of Saturday's game, practiced twice this week and is expected to play tonight.
