But even after dropping in the USCHO polls with a home weekend sweep at the hands of Miami (Ohio), the glass remains half full for Anastos and his team.

“It was a very rough weekend, but I think our confidence continues to be strong,” Anastos said. “Looking back on the games — for the most part — I thought the third period of the second game got away from us, but I can’t fault our game overall in terms of how hard we played.”

One thing being emphasized this week in practice is a rededication to power-play offense. During the series with the RedHawks, MSU managed to go scoreless in 13 power play chances and now drops to sixth in the CCHA in the category (16.5 percent).

MSU now sits in ninth in the CCHA standings with only Alaska and Bowling Green behind it. However, the team has 14 games remaining against conference opponents with much of the separation being by less than 10 points — where wins are worth three points, overtime ties are worth one.

Following a tough weekend against a formidable CCHA opponent, Anastos and his players put much value into the upcoming schedule and see an opportunity to play their way into a spot in the CCHA playoffs.

“It’s really the first time (a team) came in and played like that against us — just aggressive and took over the game, Saturday night especially,” junior forward Dean Chelios said. “It’s disappointing, especially when in a college season, it seems like there’s so few games anyway that a weekend like that at home really hurts you. It’s a tough pill to swallow but we just have to put it behind us.”

Merrifield back in action
The Spartans will get a boost this weekend with the return of Mike Merrifield.

The senior forward likely will start Friday after missing several weeks with an upper body injury. Despite playing in eight less games this season than most of the team, Merrifield still is tied for the team lead with eight goals in addition to five assists and 13 points on the year.

Anastos said the team’s offensive game should receive an immediate upgrade with Merrifield back in the lineup.

“Getting (Merrifield) back will be a step,” Anastos said. “He adds to the mix and gives up some depth offensively, and I think more so than just the goal scoring is the energy and going to the net. I think a lot of the goals he scored is because he goes hard to the net, and it creates a lot, and we miss that.”