ICE HOCKEY

The Edge of Greatness

When Tom Anastos didn’t get the call, he knew something was up. It was September 2010, and Anastos — now the MSU hockey coach — was serving as commissioner of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association, or CCHA — one of the most historically successful hockey leagues in the U.S. Penn State just announced it received an $88 million donation, which eventually turned into $102 million, to start Division I men’s and women’s hockey programs. The CCHA had a spot open with 11 teams in the league, three of which belonged to nearby Big Ten schools.

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Icers fall short against Miami (Ohio), end disappointing season

It’s a bittersweet ending. Before Sunday’s game, the MSU hockey team was told by head coach Tom Anastos to “empty the tank” Sunday night. They had to play with the awareness that the season rested on the outcome, forcing them to leave it all on the ice.

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Spartans fall to Miami (Ohio), 4-1, in CCHA playoffs

It was a mucky hard-fought series at Steve Cady Arena this weekend, but the Spartans couldn’t manage to pull past the No. 3 Miami (Ohio), as a 4-1 loss in the CCHA playoffs sealed the end of the MSU hockey season.

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MSU hockey's season on the line in decisive game 3 at Miami (Ohio)

When the MSU hockey team steps on the ice Sunday night, its season sits on the line for the second time in one week.

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Miami (Ohio) beats MSU in game 2 of CCHA playoffs

Oxford, Ohio— MSU hockey started Saturday’s CCHA playoff game in a similar fashion as Friday’s win: with a goal by freshman forward Matt DeBlouw from junior linemate Greg Wolfe.

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Miami (Ohio) drops MSU, 4-1, ties playoff series at one game apiece

MSU hockey started Saturday’s CCHA playoff game in a similar fashion as Friday’s win: with a goal by freshman forward Matt DeBlouw from junior linemate Greg Wolfe.

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MSU hockey eyes trip to Joe Louis Arena going into game 2 against Miami (Ohio)

The MSU hockey team will take the ice Saturday against Miami (Ohio) for the second consecutive night with hopes of a trip to Joe Louis Arena hanging in sight.

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Strong defense assisted Hildebrand in shutout against Miami (Ohio)

This season — especially during the rough patches — freshman goaltender Jake Hildebrand kept MSU hockey in many games.

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MSU shuts out Miami (Ohio), 3-0, in CCHA playoffs

_Oxford, Ohio_— In the first match of the second round of the CCHA playoffs, MSU shut out Miami (Ohio) — ranked third in the NCAA, — 3-0. The Spartans came out with a fire underneath them, scoring two goals in the first period and putting pressure on the CCHA top-seed.

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Keys to victory for MSU hockey against Miami (Ohio)

Sitting in MSU hockey’s way of a trip to Joe Louis Arena is a series with one of the top ranked teams in the country: Miami (Ohio).

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Spartans to travel to face Miami (Ohio) in CCHA playoffs

With two wins separating the MSU hockey team from another trip to Joe Louis Arena, Chris Forfar said it would be “awesome” to play there again, but the senior forward’s thoughts are on the task directly ahead.

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MSU hockey works out playing rotation for second round matchup with Miami (Ohio)

Earlier in the season, Tom Anastos and the rest of the MSU hockey coaching staff shuffled lines in an effort to find chemistry that worked.

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Spartans prepare for next round of CCHA playoffs with rest

Heading into the CCHA playoffs, Tom Anastos frequently said the postseason means a whole new season.

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MSU ice hockey defeats Alaska in first round of CCHA tournament, set to face Miami (Ohio)

Sitting in last place following the CCHA regular season, the MSU hockey team managed to defeat Alaska in the first round of the CCHA playoffs and advance to the quarterfinals.

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MSU loses game 2 of opening-round playoff series against Alaska, deciding match set for 11 p.m. tonight

The first round of the CCHA playoffs is back to a clean slate for the MSU hockey team after Alaska defeated the Spartans on Saturday night, 4-1.

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MSU hockey wins opening game of CCHA playoffs against Alaska, 2-1

The MSU hockey team picked up a win in the first game of the CCHA playoffs with a 2-1 defeat of Alaska on the road Saturday night.

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Seniors contribute to game-winning goal in final home game as Spartans

Saturday night’s MSU hockey 1-0 win against Western Michigan at Munn Ice Arena marked multiple “lasts” for the Spartan players.

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MSU clinches last place in CCHA with 5-2 loss to Western Michigan

Friday night’s 5-2 win by Western Michigan over MSU hockey means the Broncos have a shot at a first-place CCHA finish, but for the Spartans, it means securing last place.

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Pucker up

Chris Forfar, Matt Grassi, Anthony Hayes and Kevin Walrod came to MSU hockey as part of a nine-man freshmen class, but are the only remaining seniors. Since the time they stepped on campus, the four have become close friends and roommates, and soon will go their separate ways as their last days as Spartans quickly approach.

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Will Yanakeff finds inner confidence after season of reduced play time

For the first time in months, Will Yanakeff sang to arena music. He might have had to travel more than 3,500 miles to do so, but for MSU hockey’s junior goaltender, it’s a sign his confidence finally is restored.