With less than a minute remaining, MSU scores a tie-breaking goal.
Fans cheer and players celebrate.
But wait — the referees have to review the play.
Munn Ice Arena goes dead silent.
The ref turns around and gives a signal.
Nope, no goal. Overtime.
It appeared nothing could go right for the MSU men's hockey team on Friday as they settled for a 3-3 tie in the opener of a two-game series with Western Michigan.
Things didn't get much better for the Spartans the next night in Kalamazoo.
They dropped a tough 5-3 match on Saturday to the Broncos, who scored on three power-play goals to help secure the win.
After coming off a disappointing loss to Ohio State last week, the Spartans (5-5-3 overall, 2-4-3 CCHA) were looking to get back on track this weekend.
But instead, they now find themselves deeper in a slump.
"It has been a frustrating stretch for us," MSU head coach Rick Comley said.
"Right now, we are finding a way to turn wins and ties into losses. I thought our kids worked hard. We had a lot of good chances."
On Friday, it appeared the Broncos (3-6-1, 2-4-2) were always one step ahead. The Spartans had numerous opportunities to put the puck in the net, but Broncos goaltender Daniel Bellissimo silenced every chance.
Western grabbed a quick 2-0 lead in the first period and the Spartans found themselves playing catch-up.
The Spartans would step their offense up a notch and sophomore forward Chris Mueller would finally sneak one past Bellissimo on a power-play goal to help trim the lead.
"They scored two quick goals and we're sitting on the bench like, 'What's going on?'" Mueller said.
"We had to look at each other and battle back. I took control."
Mueller struck again 19 seconds into the second period to tie the game, and senior forward Colton Fretter scored later in the period to give MSU the lead. But the Broncos scored with less than five minutes remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime.
On Saturday, the Spartans scored first off the stick of senior defenseman Corey Potter, but surrendered the next four goals of the game. MSU outshot the Broncos, 39-24, but was shut down once again by Bellissimo.
"Their goaltender was outstanding," Comley said.
Senior forward David Booth, who hadn't seen action this season because of a rib injury, was back on the ice for both games this weekend.
"It felt good," he said. "I've only played two games since last February, so it's been a while. I think it's going to take a while for me to be at the top of my game. But each game is going to help me get better."
Booth registered one assist on the weekend.
Despite coming away without a victory, Comley said the Spartans have plenty of games left and have no reason to feel down.
"I'm very encouraged," he said.
"It's a long season and we're getting healthier. We will get rested. We have some really tough games coming up, obviously, and we will be fine."
The Spartans will look to rest up this week and resume play this weekend, with home games against Wisconsin and Minnesota in the College Hockey Showcase.
