Brett Perlini and Tanner Sorenson are at the opposite ends of their career at MSU. Both forwards for the Spartan hockey program, one’s a senior, one’s a freshman. One is headed to the NHL after this season, the other more than likely back to his dorm room. One represents the wave of the past, one is a major part of the arc of the future.
The future of the MSU hockey team’s season was in the hands of Union last weekend. The team was on the bubble for a bid to the NCAA Tournament, but thanks to No. 1-seed Union’s 3-1 win Saturday against Harvard, MSU will travel to Bridgeport, Conn., this weekend to compete against the same team they were rooting for just a few days ago.
Ah yes, an underdog story. Players own the distinction of it. Fans thrive on it. Members of the media write and rewrite their stories to determine if it’s too cheesy — it almost always is. With the NCAA Tournament just days away, the MSU hockey team is about to embark on an underdog story of its own, and the narrative is its for the taking.
The NCAA unveiled its 2012 tournament field on Sunday, and the MSU hockey team has a new lease on life. The Spartans (19-15-4 overall, 14-11-3-2 CCHA) earned a bid as the No. seed in the East Region in the 2012 NCAA Tournament and will open against Eastern College Athletic Conference champion and No. 1-seed Union on Friday in Bridgeport, Conn. With the bid, the Spartans rank fourth in all-time tournament appearances with 27 and are in the tournament for the first time since 2008.
As the four CCHA Tournament semifinalists gear up for a chance at the title and an automatic bid in the NCAA Tournament this weekend in Detroit, the No. 16 MSU hockey team is forced to wait to know its fate.
For much of the season, the No. 15 MSU hockey team has been waiting patiently to procure its first playoff win in more than four years. After dropping two games and being eliminated from the CCHA Tournament this weekend, that wait might be a little longer.
Oxford, Ohio – His scowl was louder than his voice. It was evident in the gritting of his teeth between polite but bitter words about coming up short in the CCHA Tournament.
Oxford, Ohio – Even with the stakes raised for the playoffs, the No. 15 MSU hockey team still had plenty to play for on Saturday night. The Spartans needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive in the best-of-three series with Miami (Ohio) in the quarterfinals of the CCHA Tournament.
Oxford, Ohio – It could have been the physical dominance at both ends of the ice. It could have been the four goals in the second period that effectively ended sophomore goalie Will Yanakeff’s night.
Oxford, Ohio – From the first day of his hire in March, Tom Anastos has put a magnifying glass on MSU’s stagnant playoff record and made it the goal of the team to turn the corner by securing the program’s first playoff win since 2008. The goal will have to be put on hold for another night as the No. 5-seed Spartans couldn’t stave off the potent No. 4-seed Miami (Ohio) scoring attack led by forward Jimmy Mullin to fall, 6-0, in the first game of the series in the quarterfinals of the CCHA Tournament at Steve Cady Arena in Oxford, Ohio.
At long last, a much-needed break for the No. 15 MSU hockey team. Following a weekend split on the road at Notre Dame, the Spartans (19-13-4 overall, 14-11-3-2 CCHA) have a bye week to catch their breath before meeting Miami (Ohio) in a best-of-three series in the quarterfinal round of the CCHA Tournament.
Down on the bench at Munn Ice Arena, Tom Anastos moves from side to side, barking out orders and stressing each detail in an effort to reinvigorate the MSU hockey program. Making a return to his alma mater where he once played and was an assistant coach under Ron Mason, the challenges are many for Anastos in restoring the shine to one of college hockey’s marquee programs.
For the No. 13 MSU hockey team, reflecting on the series with Notre Dame is all about sorting out the good news from the bad news.
Even before the third period began on Saturday at Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend, Ind., the playoff fate was sealed for the No. 13 MSU hockey team.
South Bend, Ind. – On the road Saturday night, Torey Krug did something a defenseman hasn’t done in the CCHA in more than 25 years.
South Bend, Ind. – In a weekend that the No. 13 MSU hockey needed to pick up a pair of road victories to keep pace in the CCHA standings, the Spartans will have to settle for one. Coming off of Friday’s 2-0 loss at the hands of Notre Dame, the Spartans — led by a 27-save performance by sophomore goalie Will Yanakeff — rose to the occasion in the rematch and beat the Fighting Irish, 4-2, Saturday at Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend, Ind. With the win, the Spartans improve to 19-13-4 overall with a 14-11-3-2 mark in the conference.
Entering the final regular season series of the year, the No. 13 MSU hockey team must maintain composure with the CCHA Tournament in sight. The Spartans (18-12-4 overall, 13-10-3-2 CCHA) open up a two-game series with Notre Dame (16-15-3, 11-12-3-0) starting Friday (8:35 p.m., CBS College Sports) and close out the regular season Saturday (7:35 p.m., Comcast) in South Bend, Ind.
Last weekend’s sweep of Alaska put the No. 13 Spartans in a good position to finish the season on a high note and offers momentum going into the weekend series against No. 18 Notre Dame.
There could have been a number of things to come off of the tip of Tom Anastos’ tongue when asked about his greatest weakness. But being the polished delegate he is, he was ready for the question but paused before answering.
For their final series at Munn Ice Arena this season, the No. 16 Spartans accomplished what they set out to do, walking away with two wins and six points in the CCHA standings and sending the senior class off on a high note.