Don’t call them the fourth line. For now, the forward combination of sophomores Brett Perlini and Trevor Nill, along with freshman Dean Chelios, prefer to be called the “maroon line,” representing the color of the jerseys they wear in practice.
At the midway point of both games against Notre Dame this past weekend, it seemed the No. 10 MSU hockey team had each game locked up.
While MSU still is winless in eight straight games against Notre Dame, the Spartans skated to a 4-4 tie before taking shootout Saturday.
For the MSU hockey team, the rivalry with Notre Dame might never be as intense as when the Spartans step on the ice to face Michigan. But it’s getting there.
Entering this season, the No. 7 MSU hockey team wanted to throw away everything from last season. And so far, the Spartans have been able to do just that, posing a 15-6-3 record, good for third place in the CCHA. Last season, the Spartans finished with 10 wins and landed in a tie for 10th place.
On Saturday, Munn Ice Arena showcased the kind of game hockey fans dream about. There was a late game-tying goal, scrappy play leading to two game misconducts, a short-handed goal, a five-round shootout and a premature game-winning celebration. Yes, there was drama.
For the first time in three games, the No. 9 MSU hockey team had its hands full in the third period. But on Friday night, Lake Superior State gave the Spartans all they could handle late in the game.
With the No. 9 MSU hockey team clicking on all cylinders in the past three games, and a Great Lakes Invitational trophy to prove it, the Spartans are trying to keep an even keel.
Monday’s game didn’t count statistically for the No. 9 MSU hockey team. It won’t affect the Spartans record, and individual stats won’t count towards season totals. But the MSU hockey team treated the exhibition game like they would a game that went down in the books. The result: much of the same for the Spartans, as they trounced the U.S.
Detroit — Coming into the Great Lakes Invitational, junior defenseman Jeff Petry was a known commodity for the MSU hockey team. Sophomore forward Brett Perlini, however, was not.
Detroit – After having one of the worst years in program history last season, winning trophies seemed to be a long ways away for the MSU hockey team entering this season. The Spartans proved otherwise Wednesday. MSU dismantled RPI 6-1 in the championship game of the 45th Annual Great Lakes Invitational at Joe Louis Arena to win the MacInnes Cup. The tournament victory was the 12th for the Spartans and their first since 2006.
Detroit — Sophomore forward Brett Perlini is trying to make the most of every shift he’s given for the MSU hockey team.
Detroit — Entering the second half of the season, MSU head coach Rick Comley said he wanted to see scoring filter down through all of the Spartans’ lines. Sure, junior forwards Corey Tropp and Andrew Rowe, along with freshman forward Derek Grant, have proven they can score. But Comley said a key to success down the stretch of the season was finding offensive contributions from every player. And Comley got his wish in a big way in the No. 13 MSU hockey team’s first game back from the holiday break.
After a week and a half off to enjoy the holidays, the No. 13 MSU hockey team was mentally ready to get back on the ice.
Corey Tropp wouldn’t have been able to imagine it entering the season.
The MSU hockey all-decade first and second teams have a nice blend of players from each era of the decade. The toughest choice in the selection process came between the pipes. Jeff Lerg had a tremendous career for MSU, but we had to give the nod to Ryan Miller, who was only the second Spartan win the Hobey Baker Award.
MSU head coach Rick Comley won’t be satisfied with anything but a sweep this weekend.
Last season, the MSU hockey team finished the year with a measly 10 wins. But Friday, this year’s Spartans earned their 10th win of the season just 18 games into the year, whereas it took last year’s team 33 games to reach the double-digit win mark.
The No. 11 MSU hockey team returned to CCHA action this weekend in Marquette, earning a split against Northern Michigan. The Wildcats won Saturday’s game at 3:59 of overtime when the puck deflected off an MSU defenseman’s skate and into the Spartans’ net.