It was the same old story for the MSU hockey team when the Spartans met the US National Under-18 team in exhibition play Friday at Munn Ice Arena.
They outshot USA 49 to 23 but lost, 4-3, and although the game won't count in the standings, senior captain Jim Slater called the loss "embarrassing."
"I'll admit it - I'm embarrassed to really talk about it," he said. "Those are teams we should beat."
"I don't know how many shots we had, but shots don't win you games. I'd rather get 10 shots and score five goals and win, than (get) 50 and (score) three and lose."
If there is any team that knows shots alone does not win games, it's MSU, which leads the CCHA in shots on net (35.5) and is currently in a four-way sixth place tie in the conference.
The Spartans (13-11-2 overall, 8-9-1 CCHA) appeared to have control of the game after sophomore forward Drew Miller scored on the power play to give the Spartans the lead in the second period, but MSU surrendered two goals within 27 seconds and was suddenly down, 3-2.
Junior forward Colton Fretter scored to tie the game at three, but a third-period USA shorthanded goal was enough to seal the win, despite numerous Spartans chances.
"We just don't have upper offensive skill," MSU head coach Rick Comley said. "I think we work hard, and I think we generate chances, but you don't teach scoring."
"There's a misconception out there that all the sudden, we're going to wake up one day and find it (scoring touch) - we're not. We'll win our share of games because we work hard enough to win them, we're not going to win them on pure talent."
MSU played most of Friday's game without junior defenseman Corey Potter, who injured his left shoulder early in the contest. Potter is currently listed as day-to-day.
The Spartans return to CCHA action next weekend when they face first-place Michigan Friday at Yost Ice Arena and Saturday at Joe Louis Arena.
Making an impression
The Spartans got a first look at incoming defenseman recruit Brandon Gentile. Gentile has posted seven points so far this season with USA, and said he feels he has a bright future ahead at MSU.
"They're really gritty," he said. "One of the more gritty teams, but I like that play, obviously."
The fans at Munn warmly welcomed Gentile and cheers could be heard when he was announced in the starting lineups, and occasionally when he handled the puck.
CCHA standings
| 1. Michigan | 17-3-0 |
| 2. Ohio State | 15-4-1 |
| 3. Northern Michigan | 11-6-3 |
| 4. Nebraska-Omaha | 10-8-2 |
| 5. Bowling Green | 9-7-2 |
| T-6. Alaska Fairbanks | 7-10-3 |
| T-6. Lake Superior | 6-7-5 |
| T-6. Miami (Ohio) | 7-10-3 |
| T-6. MSU | 8-9-1 |
| T-10. Ferris State | 4-13-3 |
| T-10. Western Michigan | 5-12-1 |
| 12. Notre Dame | 3-13-4 |
