The MSU hockey team spent the weekend trying to rally back after falling behind in both of its games against Alaska-Fairbanks.
The Spartans were partly successful in doing so, settling for the split at Alaska - losing, 5-4, in overtime on Friday while winning, 3-2, on Saturday.
MSU (18-15-1, 14-9-1 CCHA) found itself in a 4-2 hole at one point in the second period of the first game of the conference matchup.
Junior forward Mike Lalonde cut the Nanooks' lead by one goal - his second of the game. After Lalonde's goal, freshman defenseman A.J. Thelen forced the game into overtime with MSU freshman goaltender Dominic Vicari pulled in favor of the extra man. Thelen scored with 15 seconds left in regulation.
Almost three minutes into the extra five minutes, Alaska-Fairbanks forward Aaron Voros beat Vicari to win the game for the Nanooks (14-15-1, 13-12-1).
"We battled really hard in the third period," junior captain Jim Slater said. "In overtime, (the goal) was a lucky bounce, and they put it away."
The Spartans came back the next night searching for the split and, thanks to Ash Goldie, they got it. The junior forward scored the game-winning tally six minutes into the final period to break a 2-2 tie. The score was Goldie's first in eight games.
Matt Migliaccio started in net on Saturday for the first time since Jan. 24 at Ohio State. The junior goaltender finished the game with 31 saves and even recorded a point.
With the Spartans down 1-0 in the first period, Migliaccio cleared the puck up to junior forward Kevin Estrada, who took the initial shot. Freshman forward Tommy Goebel picked up Estrada's rebound and scored on Nanook goaltender Keith Bartusch.
"It was good to get the start and contribute to the win," Migliaccio said. "I felt good right off the bat."
MSU got into penalty troubles - the Spartans had 18 penalty minutes to the Nanooks' 12 - but still found a way to win.
"We stopped them on the power play," Slater said. "We needed two points, and we got it."
Fifteen Spartans got on the scoresheet this weekend, including Tyler Howells, who recorded his first collegiate goal on Saturday.
The freshman defenseman got the goal less than two minutes into the third period to tie the game at 2-2, and Goldie got the game winner about five minutes later.
The Spartans seemed to fare well on the Carlson Center's bigger ice sheet, totaling 85 shots on net during the weekend.
The Olympic-sized rink in Alaska is 200 feet by 100 feet, while most other arenas, including Munn Ice Arena, are regulated to 200 feet by 85 feet.
"Our 'D' did a very good job. On the big ice, it's tough to defend," Slater said.
The Spartans dealt with long travel and a four-hour time difference for four nights in Alaska.
"It's definitely a tough trip - it takes a lot out of you," Slater said. "We definitely don't want to be coming up here in the playoffs. We're just happy to be coming back home."
The Spartans face Nebraska-Omaha this weekend, then have a bye week to prepare for their last two games of the regular season against Michigan.
Fighting for first
With the season winding down, teams now are fighting for the top positions in the standings. Here are the CCHA standings with three weeks left in league play:
| School | Points | Games Left | This Weekend's Opponent |
| Michigan | 33 | (6) | vs. Bowling Green |
| Miami (Ohio) | 32 | (4) | bye |
| MSU | 29 | (4) | vs. Nebraska-Omaha |
| Ohio St. | 28 | (4) | at Western |
| Alaska-Fairbanks | 27 | (2) | bye |
| Notre Dame | 25 | (4) | bye |
| Western Mich. | 24 | (5) | vs. Ohio St. |
| Northern Mich | 22 | (6) | at Lake Superior St. |
| Ferris St. | 19 | (4) | bye |
| Bowling Green | 19 | (5) | at Michigan |
| Lake Superior St. | 12 | (6) | vs. Northern |
| Nebraska-Omaha | 12 | (4) | at MSU |
