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Sports | Ice Hockey

ICE HOCKEY

Grading MSU's regular season performance

Although the Spartans posted an impressive regular season, everything is on the line as the CCHA Tournament approaches. MSU still is a bubble team trying to earn an at-large bid into the 16-team NCAA Tournament. And they likely will need a deep run in the conference playoffs to receive an invite to the “big dance.” Here’s a look at the Spartans’ regular season grades as they prepare for the CCHA Tournament:

ICE HOCKEY

MSU clinches 2nd place, now looks foward

Following the MSU hockey team’s disappointing four-point weekend, hockey reporter Alex Difilippo analyzes the series’ impact on the Spartans’ NCAA Tournament chances and the upcoming CCHA Tournament.

ICE HOCKEY

Mystery Alaska

Anthony Pollreisz, an Alaska native and MSU senior who has led the hockey student section for three and a half years, will cheer at his last home regular season game Friday. Pollreisz has become a fixture at Munn Ice Arena, initiating cheers and performing his signature dance each home game.

ICE HOCKEY

Thank you, hockey seniors

This season’s class of four seniors has been part of the highest of highs (2007 National Championship) and the lowest of lows (everything about last season).

ICE HOCKEY

Icers look to end regular season with sweep

If the Spartans can get one game of their home-and-home series this weekend against Bowling Green to a shootout, MSU will clinch a spot in the top four in the CCHA standings and receive a first-round bye and home-ice advantage in the second round of the CCHA Tournament.

ICE HOCKEY

Icers' weekend split key for CCHA Tournament seeding

Friday’s bus ride home from Big Rapids wasn’t fun for the No. 12 MSU hockey team. The Spartans had just played one of their worst games of the season, losing 4-1 to No. 14 Ferris State. MSU looked completely out of sync, and after the game, head coach Rick Comley called out his team’s work ethic.

ICE HOCKEY

Icers' victory keeps MSU, Ferris State tied in CCHA

Needing a victory to once again pull even with Ferris State in the CCHA standings, junior forward Dustin Gazley scored the game-winning goal in the middle of the third period to push MSU past the Bulldogs, 3-2. Saturday’s crucial victory made up for the Spartans’ sluggish 4-1 loss Friday to Ferris State. The Spartans close the regular season with a home-and-home series next week against CCHA bottom dweller Bowling Green.

ICE HOCKEY

The correct path

After years of juggling hockey and baseball, Jeff Petry was worn out and finally decided one sport had to go. Baseball was it, and he didn’t know how to tell his dad. Imagine breaking that news to the 13-year Major League Baseball veteran, who helped pitch the Detroit Tigers to the 1984 World Series title and wanted to lend his expertise to the team Jeff was about to quit.

ICE HOCKEY

Icers split weekend series with Michigan

Fans were on the edge of their seats. Players on both benches were on their feet. And no one knew what the end result would be until the final whistle. It was a typical weekend of hockey in the rivalry series between No. 12 MSU and No. 20 Michigan.