Coming off one of its most disappointing performances of the season last weekend, the MSU hockey team responded by having one of its best practices early this week in preparation for Alaska.
The Spartans’ mistake-filled sweep at the hands of Northern Michigan featured several bad breaks and letdowns, but sophomore defenseman Torey Krug said players increased their intensity level at Monday’s practice, and seem more prepared for this weekend’s long trip to Alaska to face the Nanooks, who currently occupy sixth place in the CCHA standings.
Having lost three straight games and watching their chances at home-ice advantage becoming less attainable, the Spartans can use any extra lift they can get before a big road series.
“Yesterday, I don’t know what it was, but something clicked,” Krug said.
“(We did) a lot of battle drills. … It’s just fun battling with your best friends. It’s kind of like wrestling your buddy in the living room.”
MSU brought its intensity to the ice during a hotly-contested series in which it jumped on the Wildcats for 52 shots in Friday night’s game and took a 4-1 lead Saturday, but was unable to wrap up a victory either night.
The Spartans will be challenged to duplicate their 52-shot performance and five-goal performance from last Friday and Saturday nights as they’ve struggled to maintain offensive consistency this season, but can pick up their intensity level and try to create traffic in front of Alaska goaltender Scott Greenham.
“There seemed to be that extra little fire out there on the ice,” junior forward Trevor Nill said of Monday’s practice. “Guys had a little extra passion and it was good to see, especially around playoff time.”
Goalie update
Head coach Rick Comley said freshman Will Yanakeff probably will start in goal against Alaska this weekend — instead of junior Drew Palmisano — although he hasn’t decided for sure.
Game times are set for 11:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Yanakeff stopped 22 of 25 shots in Friday’s 4-2 loss and bailed out the Spartans on a few of the Wildcats’ power-play opportunities, and continues to play at a high level despite having his five-game win streak snapped Feb. 5 at Ohio State.
Comley said junior goaltender Drew Palmisano received little help in Saturday’s 6-5 loss.
“Playing in the defensive zone was just horrendous,” Comley said. “It wasn’t just one player, it was as a group.”
Chelios remains at forward
Comley said he plans to keep freshman forward/defenseman Jake Chelios at forward for this weekend after he scored two goals Saturday against Northern Michigan.
Chelios was recruited as a forward, and converted to defense where he felt he was better suited, but recently was moved back to forward to help the team generate some offensive punch and has done just that.
Comley said he expects Chelios to remain with the top line.
“I think it’s unfortunate in many ways because I think his future is as a defenseman,” Comley said. “Right now the plan is to kind of give him an opportunity at both. … He’ll get a chance to kill penalties on defense and play as a forward on the power play.”
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