Detroit - With the game tied at one, the MSU hockey team surrendered three unanswered goals to Ohio State and lost 4-1 in the CCHA Super Six semifinals.
The loss snapped a six-game winning streak and will likely keep the Spartans out of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years.
"Ohio State was really good," MSU head coach Rick Comley said. "When they get the lead, they make it even tougher. I thought our kids worked hard, Ohio State's just a very good team. When they're at the top of their game, they're very good."
Ohio State (27-9-4 overall) drew first blood when the Buckeyes converted on the power play at 8:25 of the first period.
The Spartans (20-16-4) tied the game nearly 10 minutes later when junior forward Colton Fretter found an open Ash Goldie on a 2-on-1 break. The goal marked senior forward Goldie's 11th goal of the year and tied the game at one heading into the second period of play.
It was all Buckeyes the rest of the game as they took a 2-1 lead heading into the third and put two more pucks behind sophomore goaltender Dominic Vicari in the final stanza to seal the win and advance to the championship game against Michigan.
Ohio State's lead was held by strong defensive play and big saves from goaltender Dave Caruso. On the other end, Vicari finished the night with 35 saves.
Ohio State was able to convert twice with the man advantage while MSU was unable to score on the power play.
The Spartans came into the season with high expectations, and although Comley said he is happy about the run the team made in the final weeks, his focus is on ending the season in a positive way.
"It's tough when you start a year with expectations and what individual players are going to do," he said.
"There's been a lot of positives this year also, if we can win tomorrow, we can be 21-6. If we can win this one tomorrow, I think we'll finish the year with our heads high."
The Spartans will play Alaska-Fairbanks on Saturday at 4:05 p.m. in the third-place game, while the Buckeyes and Wolverines will clash at 7:35 p.m. for the Mason Cup.
