Having gone 0-5-3 in the past eight games, the MSU hockey team is in dire need of a sweep as the Spartans play Bowling Green in a home-and-home series starting tonight.
The winless streak is MSU's longest since the 1980-81 season. A large part of the Spartans' recent troubles has been because of lack of scoring.
"It's definitely not work ethic or hard work," junior captain Drew Miller said. "We're working hard, it just seems like we're not getting it done. If we knew what the solution was, we'd be getting it done already."
A direct result of the streaky Spartans' (5-6-4 overall, 2-4-3 CCHA) offense has led MSU head coach Rick Comley to juggle lines in an attempt to find a solid fit.
"We're not scoring enough goals to win games right now," Comley said.
"(We've) just got to keep juggling to find combinations. We're just seeing right now if we can't get something that will start to put some numbers up."
Comley said he hopes his team can find that offensive spark against Bowling Green (3-9-1, 3-7-1) which has struggled to find consistent performance in net after the loss of graduating Jordan Sigalet.
Goaltenders Jon Horrell and Jimmy Spratt each appeared in seven games this season for the Falcons. Horrell holds the better statistical advantage with a 3.81 goals-against average and a .870 save percentage.
"They're still a good team," Miller said. "We can't just say we're going to score a lot of goals. Hopefully, we can get at them quick and get them in a hole."
Despite inconsistent goaltending, forwards Alex Foster and Jonathan Matsumoto have combined for 45 points so far this season, making Bowling Green's offensive attack lethal.
"I don't know if there's another line in the league that has their numbers," Comley said. "The key is obviously to keep that line under control."
Comley will have the final line change at Munn Ice Arena on Friday to pick the matchup he wants to play against Foster and Matsumoto, but will not have the luxury Saturday night when the series closes at Bowling Green.
"We have to match up as well as we can," Comley said. "Their line has been their key."
Despite a strong positive attitude among the team, the importance of a winning weekend and an improved record is something that can't be downplayed.
"This weekend is huge for us," freshman forward Justin Abdelkader said.
"We need to come out right away, the first shift, the first period — lay the body — let them know we're going to be there."
Faceoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. both nights.
