MSU head coach Rick Comley has watched his injury-stricken team go from 5-1-1 through seven games to its current 6-7-4 record.
"We're just trying to get our kids to kind of get that free will back to their game," Comley said. "We've kind of gone into a shell and we've got to get out of that."
During a recent eight-game winless streak, Comley shuffled lines in hopes of finding the offensive spark that the Spartans have been lacking. Although they snapped the skid this past weekend in a home-and-home series against Bowling Green, the Spartans were still only able to muster five goals in the two games.
"We haven't been able to score and we're concerned about some of the goals we're giving up," Comley said. "That's what I've worked on this week.
"Let's get some jump back in our game, let's go after the puck like we were early."
Comley has gone back to putting together the line of sophomore forward Chris Mueller, junior forward Drew Miller and senior forward Colton Fretter. The line was recently split up in an attempt to spread out offensive talent.
"Their mentality is what our team philosophy is," Comley said.
"If we're going to do anything the second half, they have to lead us."
Among other things, Comley said he wants his team to be mentally stronger.
"Right now we have no margin of error," he said. "If a goal goes in that shouldn't, it just destroys us.
"It's really hard to deal with it, but my belief is what was there is here — it just hasn't been on the ice."
Despite a 3-5-3 CCHA mark, only four points currently separate ninth-place MSU from second-place Ohio State.
"We started off the year, we know we're a good team," senior defenseman Corey Potter said. "We've just been in a little slump here where we got to change a few things.
"I don't think it's any reason to panic. We're still in the mix of things, we can turn it around."
Injury update
Just when the Spartans were nearing full health, injuries flared up among the players again.
Joining freshman forward Tim Kennedy (hand) on the injured list is sophomore forward Dan Sturges (groin) and senior defenseman Jared Nightingale remains inactive due to illness. On top of that, sophomore defenseman Jeff Dunne (shoulder) remains questionable for this weekend.
Sophomore forward Bryan Lerg didn't practice Tuesday due to an ear infection but will be in the weekend lineup. Junior captain Drew Miller (shoulder), who didn't play in Saturday's 4-2 loss at Bowling Green, will likely be able to play this weekend.
The Spartans will welcome a break from action after a weekend series at Alaska-Fairbanks, as they won't play again until the Great Lakes Invitational Tournament, which starts on Dec. 29.
Leading the pack
Sophomore forward Bryan Lerg netted his second career hat trick Friday night in a 3-0 victory.
Lerg has six goals on the season, and his team-leading 21 points are already better than his freshman output of 15 points.
"Now the demand is on him to get higher because (of) expectations," Comley said. "We're a team that needs some guys to step up and get it done. His confidence will get nothing but better."
