On the other hand, the Spartans have the opportunity to rebuild a national championship team and catch up with junior goaltender Jeff Lerg’s phenomenal performance.

But when both Lerg and MSU head coach Rick Comley say strengthening the team’s defense is a top priority, it’s pretty serious.

The Spartans outshot the Lakers, 22-10, in the first period of Saturday’s game, and while that seemed promising, Lake Superior, however underestimated, had no intention of backing down.

The visiting team somewhat shutdown MSU’s offense, outshooting them 15-6 in the second period.

Lerg admitted he was nervous coming in because of the team’s mentality.

“I don’t think we’ve been as good defensively as we have been in the past couple of years,” he said. “We’re giving up too many chances.

“Our attention to detail has got to be there.”

There’s a trust there, too. Lerg can only stop so many goals by himself, and he needs to be able to rely on his defenders.

It’s only human nature to feel overconfident after squashing a team by six goals, as the Spartans did on Friday.

But that buildup of confidence cost them one point in the standings. That one point could make or break the Spartans’ Frozen Four quest.

A couple of sophomores and some freshmen waiting in the wings lack the necessary experience to communicate in the same way seasoned juniors and seniors do. The only way they’ll get that experience is by vying for playing time.

And it’s just one big, overlapping circle.

This isn’t to pooh-pooh the defensive lineup. All things considered, they’re working with what they have and helping to shape the program’s future. The Spartans lost four senior defensemen from last year’s championship season, and that kind of experience doesn’t just grow on trees.

It’s a matter of paying attention to detail and pointing out team weaknesses so that they can become strengths.

At this point in time, MSU hockey is in a transition period. If they don’t get to the Frozen Four, they’ll be faulted for not being the team they were last year.

And that’s the key: They’re not.

It’s natural to hold such high standards for a team that’s proven it is the best in the nation, especially with a hockey program as esteemed as MSU’s.

However, losing four experienced defenders to graduation will make it impossible for the team to immediately reach that bar. That isn’t to say it’s an unreachable goal, though.

The program needs time to rebuild.

The 43rd annual Great Lakes Invitational is a perfect example. The Spartans were expected to easily defend their title.

But mix a CCHA No. 1 Michigan team, a healthy Michigan Tech and a surprisingly hardworking Providence into that, and you get one huge upset in the form of a last-place pat on the back.

Whatever the reason, whether it was the 20-day holiday break, sloppy passes or missed shots, the team accepts full responsibility for self-improvement.

That is both admirable and respectable as it should contribute to a successful Spartan turnaround.

The defense will come around, and hopefully that will be in time for a 2008 national title. Just give it a little time.

Kristi Jourdan is the State News hockey reporter. Reach her at jourdank@msu.edu.