With a big game against No. 1 Michigan coming up this Saturday, the MSU hockey team wasn't found on the ice Thursday night.
Instead, head coach Rick Comley canceled practice and took the team bowling.
Comley's doing whatever he can to take the pressure off the Spartans (2-0-0 overall) before they travel to Yost Ice Arena to face the Wolverines on Saturday at 7:35 p.m.
Last year, the Spartans played two games against U-M at Yost, losing one and tying the other.
"They always have a dynamic team that's very good offensively, so we have to play very well," Comley said.
Michigan is led by juniors Matt Hunwick and T.J. Hensick, who have combined for five goals and 14 assists this season.
Last weekend, the Wolverines beat No. 5 Boston College, 3-2, before pounding Merrimack, 9-2.
Meanwhile, MSU is off to its best start since the 1997-98 season.
Sophomore forward Bryan Lerg leads the team with a goal and three assists, and junior goalkeeper Dominic Vicari has only allowed one goal in two games.
Comley said he's been pleased with the output he's been getting from top to bottom of the roster.
"The guys are off to a good start," Comley said.
"Players like Drew Miller and Chris Mueller have improved and definitely Bryan Lerg. Tyler Howells has been versatile for us playing both forward and defense. The two freshman forwards (Tim) Kennedy and (Justin) Abdelkader have both played well."
The only thing slowing the Spartans so far has been injuries.
Senior forward David Booth suffered a shoulder injury against Western Ontario last weekend, which added him to an already lengthy list of injured Spartans.
The list includes junior defenseman Chris Snavely (shoulder), freshman forward Nick Sucharski (mono) and freshman defenseman Brandon Gentile (stomach muscle).
Booth is still receiving treatment and Comley said it's doubtful he will play against Michigan.
"We had a early run in injuries and hopefully we will get by them," Comley said. "So far, we have been OK, but we would love to be healthy and get our best 20 guys out there. We haven't been able to do that yet."
