You could sense the postgame frustration from the MSU hockey team following Friday's 1-1 tie against Michigan at Munn Ice Arena.
"At home, you're disappointed with a tie — bottom line," MSU head coach Rick Comley said.
But at times it could be argued that the No. 16 Spartans (14-10-7 overall, 8-7-6 CCHA) were playing against more than just the No. 6 Wolverines (14-9-3, 9-6-3).
A blast from the high slot from junior defenseman Ethan Graham that beat U-M goaltender Billy Sauer and tore through the mesh of the net was the main source of controversy.
"Obviously the goal was in, but the replay camera is probably the only one that you couldn't really 100 percent conclusively tell it was in," Comley said. "Everybody on the bench knew it was in right away."
The CSTV camera angles showed indisputable evidence that the puck was in and came out through the back of the net, but the instant replay booth is only authorized to use one overhead camera angle.
"That would have been a big one," Comley said of the goal that would have put the Spartans up 2-0. "The long delay in reviewing it certainly took the momentum away."
U-M tied it late in the first period and the two teams remained stalemated for the duration of the game.
As disappointed as the Spartans were with Friday's tie, Saturday's 5-5 tie against the Wolverines at Joe Louis Arena was a point that MSU gladly accepted.
And while Friday's contest was a defensive battle, the series closer was an offensive showcase.
Clusters of MSU penalties gave U-M the early momentum and a 3-2 lead after the first period. The game, however, could have been out of hand if not for the heroics of freshman goaltender Jeff Lerg.
"That first period, they could have had five or six alone," Comley said. "He was really solid and kept us in the game."
The Spartans and Wolverines traded goals in the second, but an early Wolverine goal from Brandon Kaleniecki in the third period was good enough for a 5-3 lead over the Spartans.
Junior defenseman Tyler Howells made it a one-goal game when he snapped in his second tally of the night at 11:37 of the final stanza. Howells' first goal came off a backhander from the high slot in the opening period.
"I think I'm just going to start shooting the puck every time I come here," Howells said. "I just got a new curve on my stick and I think my backhand is harder than my forehand now."
Senior forward David Booth tied the game on the power play nearly five minutes later and celebrated by jumping into the Spartans' bench. It was Booth's second tally of the game, as well.
"It was a great feeling, especially with time winding down like that," Booth said. "To get that goal is something you work hard for."
What resulted was a come-from-behind tie for the Spartans and a 1-0-3 season mark against U-M.
"I'm proudest of the fact that this team doesn't quit," Comley said. "To come back when you're down two in the third period when they're playing that well, that's tough to do."
The hockey team is the only team to have beaten and had success against U-M so far this season. The two conference ties this weekend are good enough to keep MSU in a third-place CCHA tie.
The Spartans will hit the ice next weekend in a home-and-home series against Notre Dame.
