It’s all smiles around Munn Ice Arena this week. Maybe it’s the unusually warm weather, the first 3-point weekend since Nov. 1, or the two upcoming home games this weekend, but the mood surrounding the MSU hockey team is upbeat.
It’s no secret the MSU hockey team hasn’t caught many breaks this season. So Saturday, the team did what it needed to — scratching and clawing its way to a gritty 1-0 win over Ferris State at Ewigleben Ice Arena.
Big Rapids — For a second consecutive night, senior goaltender Jeff Lerg came through with an effort good enough to lead the MSU hockey team to victory — only this time, the Spartans were able to hold on to an early lead.
In years past, a tie with Ferris State would not be looked upon as a successful outcome for the MSU hockey team. But in the midst of a tough season — one that includes winless streaks of 11 and, currently, six games — any point is a good point for the Spartans. Despite losing a 2-0 lead for the second straight game and losing the shootout 2-1, MSU head coach Rick Comley will certainly settle for the point the 2-2 tie brings his team.
It’s once again that time to guess the outcome of this weekend’s games with the State News prognosticators.
The comforting confines of the locker room and the shouts of encouragement from friendly fans have become distant memories for the MSU hockey team.
All signs are pointing to the return of Corey Tropp to the MSU hockey team next season. Tropp is coming back to school to take classes and stay eligible for a possible reinstatement to the team at the conclusion of this season. If reinstated, he will be a junior.
For the first time since 1995-96, the MSU hockey team lost twice in a single season to Lake Superior. The 2-0 loss on Friday coupled with the 4-2 loss on Saturday extended the Spartans’ losing streak to five games.
Sault Ste. Marie — The MSU hockey team had a two goal lead with 52 seconds remaining in the first period. But Lake Superior scored four unanswered goals on the Spartans en route to a 4-2 win at Taffy Abel Arena.
Sault Ste. Marie — A goal from 110 feet away put Saturday’s game out of reach for the MSU hockey team.
The MSU hockey team has been plagued with numerous off-ice distractions this season. Whether it was players being suspended from the team, returning to juniors or suffering long-term injuries, the role of captain for MSU senior goaltender Jeff Lerg has been anything but what he expected entering the season.
The University of Michigan Department of Public Safety said Wednesday that it will not press criminal charges against former MSU hockey player Andrew Conboy and sophomore forward Corey Tropp following Saturday’s incident at Yost Ice Arena, according to DPS spokeswoman Diane Brown.
MSU hockey team captain and senior goaltender Jeff Lerg sat down with sophomore forward Corey Tropp Monday to talk about his future as a hockey player. By Tuesday, it was unclear whether that future would include MSU.
After being suspended for the duration of the MSU hockey season, freshman forward Andrew Conboy has withdrawn from MSU.
MSU head coach Rick Comley issued season-ending suspensions to two players following an incident Saturday when the MSU hockey team faced off against Michigan at Yost Ice Arena. Comley suspended sophomore forward Corey Tropp and freshman forward Andrew Conboy after the two attacked U-M’s Steve Kampfer in the final minutes of U-M’s 5-3 win.
With Saturday’s 5-3 loss and Friday’s 6-2 defeat to No. 8 Michigan, the MSU hockey team lost five straight to the Wolverines for the first time ever in a single season. And to make matters worse, the Spartans now sit in last place in the CCHA.
I understand the Michigan vs. MSU rivalry is one of the most heated rivalries in all of sports. But what happened on Saturday night both on and off the ice leaves reason for die-hard fans of both schools to hang their heads.
Ann Arbor — For the fifth straight time this season, No. 8 Michigan got the better of the MSU hockey team – beating the Spartans 5-3 at Yost Ice Arena on Saturday.
Detroit — For the third time this season, No. 8 Michigan handed the MSU hockey team a loss by four or more goals. In Friday’s 6-2 loss at Joe Louis Arena, the Wolverines extended their four game winning streak this season against MSU.
The last time the MSU hockey team played No. 8 Michigan at Joe Louis Arena, the Wolverines dominated the Spartans 5-1. And the last time the two teams battled at Yost Ice Arena, U-M stole a similar result, defeating the Spartans 6-1.