MSU won in thrilling fashion, scoring only 46 seconds into overtime on Friday night to win, 5-4. Senior forward Lee Reimer had the game-winning goal on a power play that rolled over from the third period. MSU finished the night 3-for-3 on the power play, scoring its highest goal total on the power play since Dec. 1 against Princeton.
Reimer was pleased with the Spartans’ effort in the game, calling the win huge for MSU as the program enters the Big Ten Tournament next weekend.
“Our team is taking huge steps right now and we’ve been getting character wins,” Reimer said on Friday. “Our team is just starting to click all together right now.”
The following night didn’t see the same success for MSU, with the Spartans falling, 4-3. Senior goaltender Will Yanakeff and MSU surrendered four goals in the first period, but MSU fought back to make it a one-goal game in the third period.
Freshman forward Villiam Haag scored only 5:25 into the third period, but that would be the final goal in MSU’s comeback bid on senior night.
Although MSU lost on Saturday night, head coach Tom Anastos was pleased with the Spartans’ final two periods.
“The game totally changed in the second period,” Anastos said. “I thought we played really well in the second and third period, really well. Lots to build on, but that’s that catch-22 because you see that and then you say where was it (the whole game) because we would have a different outcome.”
Anastos added that the power play’s continued success is a positive step forward for MSU.
Junior forward Matt Berry finished the weekend with three goals and has four in his last three games. Berry now is second on the team in scoring with 10 goals.
Saturday’s loss will be the last image of Munn Ice Arena for six seniors, but won’t be the only thing senior Jake Chelios will remember. Chelios said he always tried to enjoy his time playing at Munn Ice Arena and will cherish the memories.
“I never took a moment for granted,” Chelios said. “I loved every moment of it, the fans and atmosphere. It’s sad that it’s over but (we’ve) still got a couple more games, hopefully.”
With Saturday’s loss, MSU locked up the fifth seed for the inaugural Big Ten Tournament and will face Ohio State at 8 p.m. on Thursday. It already had been determined that MSU would play the Buckeyes in the first round of the tournament, but MSU could have moved up to the fourth seed with a win on Saturday.
