Junior captain Jim Slater knows Ohio State has MSU's number.
In their last six meetings with the Spartans, the Buckeyes hold a 4-0-2 advantage, including two wins earlier this season. Ohio State (15-10-0, 10-7-0 CCHA) swept MSU (13-12-1, 9-6-1) for the first time at Munn Ice Arena Oct. 17-18.
The team heads to Columbus this weekend for a two-game series starting at 8:05 p.m. Saturday.
"They've given it to us in the past," Slater said. "We want to go down there with the mindset to win Friday night and take that over to Saturday night."
The Spartans need to start the game off strong. When MSU scores the first goal of the game, it holds an 11-3-1 record.
"You always want to start off with the lead and keep that going through the whole 60 minutes," Slater said. "If you're behind two or three (goals), you start sinking and don't have the momentum."
Slater's words ring especially true for head coach Rick Comley, who knows his players do not play well against defensive teams, or when they are down a few goals.
"With this team, it's been an ongoing issue. We don't play well from behind," Comley said.
The Buckeyes are riding high from a six-game unbeaten streak after last weekend's sweep over Lake Superior State.
Meanwhile, the Spartans are regrouping from their last game, a 3-2 loss at Bowling Green.
Tired Tommy
Freshman forward Tommy Goebel skated with the team for the first time Tuesday while sporting an orange jersey, which indicates no body contact.
He will be out for his seventh game with mononucleosis.
Goebel was one of the last members left in a drill where each line raced down the ice and the fastest skater stopped. The remaining skaters had to complete the drill again.
"I'm a little tired but it's good to get back in the game," Goebel said afterward.
The Parma, Ohio native still holds the No. 3 spot on the point total count with 19. Ahead of Goebel are junior forwards Jim Slater and Mike Lalonde with 31 and 26 points, respectively.
Former captain sidelined
Former Spartan and current Nashville Predators forward Rem Murray is out indefinitely with muscle cramps in his neck.
Murray has a neurological disorder called dystonia, which includes involuntary muscle contractions. The eight-year NHL veteran was originally supposed to miss two weeks after he complained about his neck Jan. 5 during a game with the Detroit Red Wings.
Now, doctors are trying to find treatment for the problem.
At MSU from 1991-95, Murray racked up 218 points, which ties him for seventh place on MSU's all-time scoring leader chart.
