Simon Mangos sat dejectedly on the bench in front of the visitor's dressing room, his helmet on the ground.
He used one hand to wipe the sweat off his face, the other to cover his eyes to hide the falling tears. Half a minute later, the Ferris State defenseman finally picked up his helmet and slowly trudged into the dressing room.
Around the corner and down the hall was a different story and atmosphere, however.
The No. 11 MSU hockey team had fought back from a 3-0 deficit Saturday to win, 5-3, over Ferris State and clinch the first-round series. With the sweep, the Spartans (23-15-2, 18-9-2 CCHA) advance to the CCHA Super Six quarterfinals Thursday or Friday. MSU also won Friday, 6-4.
"Our players showed a lot of pride and heart to come back and take that one away," junior captain Jim Slater said. "Everyone stepped up on the bench, in the locker room, getting everyone going."
Led by defenseman Ethan Graham, the Spartans' freshman class had an offensively productive series, especially Saturday.
Graham recorded MSU's first two goals to jumpstart the comeback, and forward Drew Miller notched the game winner. Graham scored his first two career goals as a Spartan.
"Look at the guys who scored (Saturday)," head coach Rick Comley said. "We'll be better because of this - a lot of it because it took some pressure off the big line. We won a game without them."
Graham's two-goal night didn't come without a minor scare, however. He left for about eight minutes in the first period after getting cut behind his ear.
"It kind of knocked me silly for a minute - I had to sit there to get my senses back," the Xenia, Ohio, native said. "It kind of wakes you up a little bit, but when you're down 3-0, you try to do anything to help the team."
For the series, the six freshmen racked up 13 points, including goaltender Dominic Vicari, who assisted on sophomore forward Colton Fretter's goal Friday.
MSU's top line - junior forward Mike Lalonde, Slater and freshman forward Tommy Goebel - still combined for 10 points against Ferris.
"Winning is good for a young team," Comley said. "They leave happy, smiling, and they come back refreshed on Monday. I'm just pleased with all the young kids. They've grown and progressed."
The Spartans are more than relieved they wrapped up the weekend quickly instead of playing Sunday for the decisive game three.
"After a game like this - a crazy game being down by three goals and fighting back - it's a great feeling not having to play on a Sunday," Miller said.
Comley gave a vote of confidence to his starting netminder even after he let in seven goals in two games.
"To be honest with you, my instinct was not to play him," Comley said of Vicari. "But you've got to put kids in tough situations. This was a tough situation.
"I named him our No. 1 goalie at Christmas, and you've got to show confidence in him."
The Spartans are pleased with their efforts this weekend, and they just seem to be building up for the better after each game.
"We're getting a good rhythm every week," junior forward Lee Falardeau said. "We're kind of relaxed with what we have - we know what we have to do."
As the Spartans celebrate, Ferris State now is back home, wondering, "What if?" For Mangos, these losses might stay with him a bit longer than he wishes. His days of playing hockey for the Bulldogs now are over.
The Spartans said they already have put the wins behind them, and will start preparing for their trip to Detroit. Depending on the outcomes of Sunday's two remaining CCHA contests, MSU will either start the quarterfinals Thursday or Friday.
But whomever the Spartans face next, the stakes just keep getting higher - lose one, and go home.
"You've got to bring your best game," Slater said. "It's elimination down there, and you just have to bring it."
