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Sports | Ice Hockey

ICE HOCKEY

Home ice within reach

Eric Fish
February 16, 2006

While the No. 10 Spartans might not be able to catch CCHA-leading and No. 2 Miami (Ohio) in the conference standings, beating the RedHawks in a two-game series at Munn Ice Arena this weekend would be immense. For one, the Spartans (17-10-7 overall, 11-7-6 CCHA) could create some space in the close CCHA race and further the attempt to lock up home ice in the playoffs as well as a first-round playoff bye. Secondly, wins against a highly ranked team like Miami (20-5-4, 17-4-2) would mean more sway for MSU in terms of seeding for the NCAA Tournament next month. "We're fighting for a first-round bye so that's the only thing we're kind of thinking about, talking about — just as we've done over the last couple of months is just try to put wins on the board," MSU head coach Rick Comley said. Miami clinched the CCHA regular-season title with a 6-3 win Tuesday against Ohio State.

ICE HOCKEY

Living the American dream

Eric Fish
February 13, 2006

For John-Michael Liles, there was no dramatic phone call. Instead, the former Spartans hockey standout heard the news a few days before the official announcement was scheduled to be made Dec.

ICE HOCKEY

Slim pickings

Eric Fish
February 6, 2006

With Saturday's game against Notre Dame tied at one heading into the second intermission, the message in the Spartans' locker room was clear. "We just said, 'Those are our two points and we need them,'" senior forward David Booth said.

ICE HOCKEY

From the road

Hockey reporter Eric Fish spent the evening in South Bend, Ind., where MSU has not lost when he covers a game.

ICE HOCKEY

Comley sticks with Lerg as rookie shines in net

Eric Fish
February 2, 2006

Although he stands between the pipes at a less than intimidating 5-foot-6, freshman goaltender Jeff Lerg has given college hockey teams plenty of reason to fear him. "That's kind of what my point is to everyone when I get on the ice," Lerg said.

ICE HOCKEY

All knotted up

Eric Fish
January 30, 2006

You could sense the postgame frustration from the MSU hockey team following Friday's 1-1 tie against Michigan at Munn Ice Arena. "At home, you're disappointed with a tie — bottom line," MSU head coach Rick Comley said. But at times it could be argued that the No.

ICE HOCKEY

Icers, U-M: rounds 3, 4

Eric Fish
January 27, 2006

Both their CCHA and overall records are almost identical. Three of the past four games against each other have ended in draws. Eight of their past nine meetings have been decided by a goal or less. That's just a slight indication of how evenly matched the Wolverines and Spartans are on the ice.

ICE HOCKEY

Overdue shutout overshadowed by team's injuries

Eric Fish
January 25, 2006

Deep into the NHL season, only one word that can sum up my fantasy hockey team so far — sucky. Fifth out of 12 teams isn't bad, but considering that I had the first overall pick in the draft and tons of expectations to meet when questioned about my abilities to draft a fantasy winner, I'm disappointed. A huge reason for inconsistences is injuries.

ICE HOCKEY

Mavericks snap MSU's win streak at 6

Eric Fish
January 23, 2006

Although the No. 19 Spartans' winning streak ended after splitting a pair of games at Nebraska-Omaha this past weekend, the poise and spirit of the team has not been dampened. "You can't get down on one loss," senior forward David Booth said.

ICE HOCKEY

Spartans hit the road with five-game win streak, full lineup for weekend series in Nebraska-Omaha

Eric Fish
January 20, 2006

Having won five contests in a row, including seven of the past eight, the MSU hockey team is red hot. After making Michigan its latest victim in a 2-0 Tuesday night win, the Spartans (13-8-5 overall, 7-5-4 CCHA) have a quick turnaround and will face Nebraska-Omaha in a road series starting tonight. The Spartans are now in a third-place CCHA tie with Lake Superior and are in the process of playing six times in two weeks. "You just really can't take a night off," senior defenseman Jared Nightingale said.

ICE HOCKEY

Player of the week

Eric Fish
January 13, 2006

JEFF LERG Freshman goaltender Livonia Last weekend against Wayne State, Lerg stopped 42 of 44 shots in 3-1, and 5-1 wins, respectively.

ICE HOCKEY

Freshman trio gels with on-ice chemistry, off-ice friendship

Eric Fish
January 13, 2006

They've combined for 14 goals and 25 total points this season. They combined for two huge goals in the 3-3 CCHA-opening tie at Michigan, and they've all been drafted by various NHL clubs. But the greatest part about the trio of Justin Abdelkader, Tim Kennedy and Tim Crowder is that they're all just freshmen. "They have good chemistry; they seem to mesh really well," MSU head coach Rick Comley said of the line.