The No. 6 MSU hockey team learned a valuable lesson in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Western Michigan — there are 20 minutes in each period, right down to the last fraction of a fraction of a second.
Broncos forward Patrick Galivan tallied the eventual game-winning goal for Western Michigan (16-15-1 overall, 13-12-1 CCHA) with what is believed to be .01 seconds remaining in the first period.
"I thought the period was pretty much over," sophomore goaltender Jeff Lerg said. "I thought we were just going to eat it, and our guy accidentally turned and hit the puck off his skate right to their guy's stick for a wide-open net."
Western Michigan goaltender Riley Gill made 19 saves against an MSU (18-11-3, 14-9-3) team that had to fight for every shot opportunity.
The Spartans, who are now winless in their last four games, did not score an even-strength goal all weekend. They registered three power-play goals in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Broncos, a game in which they fought back and almost eradicated a three-goal deficit.
"We haven't won a game easy all year," MSU head coach Rick Comley said. "But we can come back and win next weekend, and if you win next weekend, then you feel better about everything."
After Saturday's game, though, the players could hardly comprehend the team's recent play.
"I'm kind of at a loss for words," senior captain Chris Lawrence said. "I think it's the first time all year we're starting to feel frustrated as a group."
Jeff Lerg echoed his teammate's feelings.
"Ever since we left Nebraska, we haven't had the same jump, we haven't had the same energy, we haven't had the same mind-set," he said. "I don't know how at this time of the year. I don't know what can be said."
MSU's chances at tying Saturday's game were all but eliminated when Broncos forward Jeff LoVecchio slapped a puck out of midair and into the net midway through the third period.
Friday's game was disorganized and riddled with penalties. Both teams combined for 23 penalties, and Western capitalized on second-period special teams play to take a 4-1 lead.
The Spartans battled back and had several chances to tie the game late in the third period when they pulled Lerg to gain an extra skater. Gill, however, stood tall and prevented an MSU goal.
"We play like that 60 minutes, and we're going to win this game by a lot," junior forward Chris Mueller said. "We played relentless, we played with our backs against the wall, and that's how we have to play from the drop of the puck."
MSU resumes play Friday with the start of a home-and-home series against Bowling Green.
