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ICE HOCKEY

Seniors, Comley say goodbye with last game at Munn

Jeff Kanan
February 27, 2011

The game had no impact in the final standings and wouldn’t impact who MSU would play in the first round of next week’s CCHA tournament. That didn’t diminish the emotion of MSU’s win and first sweep of the season Saturday and happy close to the Spartan careers of three of their own, and significance of singing the fight song in the locker room for the first time at home this year. MSU laid everything on the line for its retiring head coach, Rick Comley, and two senior forwards, Dustin Gazley and Joey Shean, to defeat Bowling Green, 2-0, Saturday at Munn Ice Arena and send them out as winners, even though they likely didn’t expect to be in 10th place in the standings at this time of year. The Spartans importantly gave their coach and players a worthy end to careers that saw extreme dedication and commitment to a program and creating some high points along the way. The Spartans, who were tabbed to finish in third or fourth in the CCHA standings before the season, weren’t playing for a CCHA championship or even for a first-round bye, but that didn’t decrease the significance of the night or the accomplishments Comley has had at MSU. Comley’s service to the program has been outstanding and his National Title and his three straight trips to the NCAA regional finals from 2006 through 2008 stand as big accomplishments in today’s CCHA. He was honored Saturday with a tribute after the game and video that highlighted the high points of his career and nine years of keeping up the MSU hockey tradition. “I’m not a glammer and glitz guy,” Comley said.

ICE HOCKEY

Spartans earn first sweep of season with 2-0 win over Bowling Green

Jeff Kanan
February 27, 2011

The MSU hockey team didn’t have much control over its postseason fate this weekend, but made the most of what it could control in defeating Bowling Green, 2-0, Saturday for a weekend sweep. MSU earned its first sweep of the season and did an impressive defensive job against the Falcons to give junior goalie Drew Palmisano a shutout victory. However, the Spartans will be forced to make the long trip to Alaska for the first round of the playoffs next weekend, but honored head coach Rick Comley and senior forwards Dustin Gazley and Joey Shean out in style for their final home games. “I think there was definitely more energy,” junior defenseman Brock Shelgren said.

ICE HOCKEY

Icers grind out win against Bowling Green

Jeff Kanan
February 26, 2011

The goals came early and from several directions, but eventually ran out in MSU’s 2-1 win against Bowling Green on Friday. Sophomore forward Dean Chelios and junior forward Brett Perlini scored within eight minutes of each other to put MSU ahead 2-0 at the 9:02 mark of the first period. Bowling Green forward Brett Mohler scored 51 seconds later to make it 2-1 before the offense slowed down and the Spartans hung on for a late-season victory. MSU possessed the puck for later portions of the game and helped secure its second straight victory, but will need a follow-up performance Saturday to earn its first sweep of the season. “We were fine, kind of diligent and business-like,” MSU head coach Rick Comley said.

BASKETBALL

Lost the battle... Won the war

Anthony Odoardi
February 24, 2011

The No. 10 MSU women’s basketball class of 2011 defines everything it means to be a Spartan. Behind seniors Brittney Thomas, Cetera Washington and Kalisha Keane the Spartans became the first MSU women’s basketball team to claim an outright conference title, despite a 54-53 loss to Ohio State on Thursday night. The three seniors are Spartans to the fullest extent, and although they will graduate with their last game at Breslin Center being a loss, they can find peace in knowing they represent everything you look for in a basketball player. They have toughness, heart, passion, energy, character and leadership.

BASKETBALL

Spartans fall to OSU, still swipe title

Jeremy Warnemuende
February 24, 2011

Heading into Thursday night, the No. 10 MSU women’s basketball team had one obstacle left between itself and the program’s first-ever outright Big Ten championship. Unfortunately for the Spartans (24-4 overall, 12-3 Big Ten), that obstacle was six-time defending champion Ohio State.

MSU

Concert promotes awareness for victims

Ashley Brown
February 24, 2011

Celebrating 30 years of service with song, the MSU Sexual Assault Program hosted its first benefit concert in the RCAH Theatre on Thursday in an effort to spread awareness and services to victims of sexual assault.

MICHIGAN

Haven House fundraiser continues

Josh Mansour
February 24, 2011

With winter in full effect and unemployment continuing to affect thousands throughout the state, the East Lansing-based family shelter Haven House is urging local businesses and their customers to have a heart.

MSU

MSU research team awarded 4-year grant

Megan Durisin
February 24, 2011

David Tschirley has been working in Mozambique, Africa, on and off for the past 20 years. Despite the challenges he’s seen farmers in the country face — including a lack of mechanization, irrigation and access to good feed and fertilization — he said the country appears to be on the rise.