Once again, the CCHA was outplayed by the CHA.
The No. 14 MSU hockey team (7-5-1 overall, 6-3-1 CCHA) lost to Findlay earlier this year, 4-3. Wayne State (3-4-2, 1-3-0 CHA) left Munn Ice Arena on Thursday night capping a similar feat in a 3-2 overtime upset victory over the Spartans.
Spartans head coach Rick Comley said that his players didn't play with a lack of effort, but their mentality could of been that of Goliath to the Warriors' David-like proportions.
"You're always in danger of playing teams that your players maybe don't respect enough," Comley said.
With 47 seconds remaining in the five-minute overtime, Warriors forward John Grubb took assists from forwards Mark Cannon and Travis Rycroft to seal the win.
Warriors goaltender Marc Carlson was tough in the net, stopping 39 Spartans shots, while skating away with the game's No. 1 star. MSU freshman goaltender Dominic Vicari made his third consecutive start in the Spartans' net, finishing with 19 saves.
Interestingly, the Spartans outshot the Warriors 41-22 but still lost.
"We were trying to stay with it, and I think we did a good job," said junior forward Adam Nightingale.
Losing to a nonconference team has put a damper on the Spartans' souls. Although the Warriors look less glamourous than the Spartans on paper, it's wins against college hockey's unknowns that can aid in an NCAA Tournament berth.
"It's very disappointing," MSU junior captain Jim Slater said. "This was a big game when it comes down to getting into the NCAA Tournament if we don't win the league."
Entering Thursday's contest, the Spartans had only scored one power-play goal in 17 chances. Playing a man up, the Spartans earned a power-play goal by Nightingale off assists from the freshman duo of defenseman Ethan Graham and forward Tommy Goebel, tying the game 2-2 in the 34th minute.
The offensive assult began early in the first period, as the game's first three goals were scored in the opening four minutes.
The Spartans ignited the scoring off a quick wrist shot by sophomore forward Colton Fretter off an assist from freshman forward Tyler Howells 2:03 into the game. But the Spartans' lead was short-lived. Fifty-six seconds later, Warriors forward Jason Baclig found an opening in Vicari's five hole, netting the goal on assists by defenseman Aaron Hundt and forward Greg Poupard.
The Warriors scored the go-ahead goal just 16 seconds later from forward Nate Higgins, who tapped in a rebound shot past the left post off a Vicari kick save. The goal was assisted by Baclig.
The Spartans host the Warriors in game two of their nonconference series at 7:35 Friday.
