It boiled down to the last 30 seconds for the MSU hockey team in Sunday’s 1-1 game with No. 6 Notre Dame. The No. 10 Spartans were just about ready to walk away sweeping the weekend series until Notre Dame’s Ryan Thang scored his 12th goal of the season with 37.8 seconds left in the game.
A playoff-type atmosphere is in the air, and for the MSU hockey team, Friday’s win against Notre Dame was picture perfect.
It’s amazing what a year can do. In that time, for sophomore defenseman Michael Ratchuk, it meant a period of growth.
Sitting three points outside of the top spot in the league, this weekend’s series with No. 6 Notre Dame could put the MSU hockey team in a better position to win the CCHA regular season championship — the only title the Spartans have yet to win with their current group of seniors.
The MSU hockey team has posted a 1-2-1 record since a 20-day winter break. And while those aren’t necessarily the most impressive numbers, head coach Rick Comley said the team needs to only work on a few skills to bounce back.
From the football bowl game to Big Ten openers, here’s what you missed in Spartan sports during break.
It’s all about taking baby steps for the MSU hockey team. The Spartans had a 20-day break during the holiday season and are struggling to get their heads above water.
A youthful defense is a double-edged sword for the MSU hockey team. On one hand, the lack of experience causes a breakdown in communication on the ice and leads to 37 shots on goal, hence Saturday’s tie against Lake Superior, which is winless in the CCHA.
It’s like kissing your sister. Despite Friday’s six-goal blowout against Lake Superior State, Saturday’s hockey game headed into overtime as the Spartans and Lakers tied at three. The Spartans are now unbeaten in their last 18 overtime games, posting a 6-0-12 record.
MSU junior forward Tim Crowder and sophomore defenseman Mike Ratchuk know how to ring in the new year.
MSU head coach Rick Comley summed up his disappointment in the Spartans’ game Saturday against Providence during the 43rd Great Lakes Invitational at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. “The whole game,” a clearly agitated Comley said, as he rested his hand on his cheek.
Detroit – It was not a very good day for Spartans sports.
Detroit – Michigan Tech has finally broken through in the Great Lakes Invitational.
It’s been a successful first half of the season for the MSU hockey team. The Spartans head into the holiday break with a 12-3-2 record – the best such start under head coach Rick Comley – with all three losses coming to teams ranked No. 1 in the country at the time of the game.
Christmas came early for the MSU hockey team.
The MSU hockey team didn’t draw a cupcake heading into its final series before winter break. The No. 5 Spartans will battle a much-improved Ferris State team this weekend in a home-and-home series with Friday’s game being contested in Big Rapids and Saturday’s game at Munn Ice Arena.
Check out what the State News prognosticators have to say about upcoming MSU athletic contests.
The MSU hockey team took a step forward this weekend against Lake Superior.
Riding a four-game winless streak, a weekend series against Lake Superior was just what the doctor ordered for the MSU hockey team.
Bryan Lerg owns Lake Superior. With three goals on the weekend, MSU’s senior captain now has 10 goals in nine career games against the Lakers — including two in the third period Saturday, turning MSU’s tenuous one-goal advantage into a three-goal blowout.