Mano a mano. One-on-one. Skater vs. goalie.
Similar to a last-second field goal in football or a penalty kick in soccer, shootouts are toward the top of the list as one of the most pressure-filled situations in sports, a common place MSU has found itself recently in Big Ten play.
Of the four Big Ten games for MSU, two have ended in a shootout, 6-10-3, 0-2-2-2 Big Ten), with the Spartans winning both. MSU knocked off No. 1 Minnesota (15-2-3, 5-0-1 Big Ten) on Dec. 6 in a shootout and most recently, Ohio State (11-6-1, 1-2-1 Big Ten) this past Saturday. Although both games are officially considered ties because of NCAA regulations, the Spartans have gathered an additional point in conference standings on both occasions, making the exciting finish important in the eyes of head coach Tom Anastos.
In the Big Ten, the game goes to a shootout if neither team scores in the five-minute sudden death overtime. Both teams have three skaters and if the shootout remains tied after the first three skaters, it continues until one team scores and the other does not. Both teams receive a point in Big Ten play if the game reaches a shootout, with the winner awarded one additional point.
Anastos has been able to live on both sides of the situation through his current and former roles in the game. When he was Central Collegiate Hockey Association commissioner before joining MSU, he said he liked the idea of shootouts in the game because of the entertainment factor.
Part of the reason MSU has experienced success in Big Ten shootouts is sophomore forward Michael Ferrantino.
Ferrantino, who works on shootouts before and after practice, led off for the Spartans in both shootouts, scoring both times. He said he enjoys shootouts because of the ability to be innovative and try new things without the pressure of a defender.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Ferrantino said. “You get to kind of try different things.”
The first half of the shootout is scoring, but an equally important second half is sophomore goaltender Jake Hildebrand’s job of keeping the opponents from scoring. Although Hildebrand has never been a fan of shootouts, he has thrived in Big Ten play, stopping all three Minnesota shooters and four of the six skaters against Ohio State.
Hildebrand said the pressure doesn’t bother him, with his mindset remaining the same as the regular game.
“There’s nothing wrong with a little pressure,” Hildebrand said. “I think athletes thrive on pressure and live for moments like that.”
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