MSU won't find out who its second-round CCHA playoff opponent is until Saturday at the earliest, but it's counting on playing Nebraska-Omaha anyway. The Mavericks host last-place Bowling Green this weekend.
Spartans hockey fans may be criticizing the team's recent play, and MSU head coach Rick Comley probably won't blame them. "I've known all along that we have some good points and that we have some deficiencies," Comley said.
The No. 13 Spartans knocked one thing off their to-do list by guaranteeing themselves a fourth-place conference finish and clinching a first-round playoff bye with Friday's 5-3 win at Bowling Green.
Senior forward Tyler Howells learned a few things on the ice during his four years at MSU that he never would have acquired from in a classroom. Howells has played every position — except for goaltender — in a Spartans' uniform, and he considers the experience valuable beyond the rink. "Going out into the work world, you've gotten used to being moved around and learning new things very quickly, accepting new roles," Howells said.
Don't tell the hockey team that four goals over its last three games won't cut it in the playoffs.
The Spartans were centimeters away from playing an overtime frame in Friday's 4-3 loss to Western Michigan. After taking a closer look, maybe they should have been in overtime. Sophomore forward Tim Kennedy sent the puck toward the net and supposedly hit the left goal post in the waning seconds of the game.
Sports editor Eric Fish spent Friday at Lawson Ice Arena watching Western Michigan host MSU in a CCHA battle.
The No. 6 MSU hockey team learned a valuable lesson in Saturday's 2-0 loss to Western Michigan — there are 20 minutes in each period, right down to the last fraction of a fraction of a second. Broncos forward Patrick Galivan tallied the eventual game-winning goal for Western Michigan (16-15-1 overall, 13-12-1 CCHA) with what is believed to be .01 seconds remaining in the first period. "I thought the period was pretty much over," sophomore goaltender Jeff Lerg said.
Why are the Spartans struggling now of all times? Depends on who you ask. MSU's game Tuesday against Ferris State threw an obstacle at its nine-game unbeaten streak as the team was forced to play its third game in five days.
With their winning flame now doused, the No. 6 Spartans play two games against a hot Western Michigan team this weekend in a home-and-home series. MSU's 2-1 loss Tuesday to Ferris State — the team's first since Jan.
The question must be asked: How strong is sophomore goaltender Jeff Lerg's back? Jeff Lerg was unquestionably shaky to start the season, but if there is any reason — and maybe it's the only one — the Spartans are competing for a first-round playoff bye, it's because of their goaltender's spectacular play since December.
Big Rapids — The No. 6 Spartans nine-game unbeaten streak ended Tuesday night after a 2-1 loss to Ferris State. The game resembled Friday's matchup with the Bulldogs (10-19-3 overall, 7-15-2 CCHA) in many ways — superb goaltending, defensive struggles, tied score at one apiece late into the game. The only difference was who scored the final goal. "This loss hurts a lot," MSU head hockey coach Rick Comley said.
The No. 6 Spartans hope tonight's rematch with Ferris State doesn't seem like deja vu. After a frustrating 2-1 overtime victory over the struggling Bulldogs (9-19-3 overall, 6-15-2 CCHA) Friday, the Spartans (18-8-3, 14-6-3) will be looking for a more convincing win.
Detroit — The No. 6 Spartans should credit their three points this weekend to sophomore goaltender Jeff Lerg. Lerg stood tall, stopping 33 shots in Friday's 2-1 overtime victory over Ferris State and stopping a career-high 54 shots in Saturday's 3-3 tie against Michigan at Joe Louis Arena to extend MSU's unbeaten streak to a nation-leading nine games. "He was excellent," MSU head coach Rick Comley said.
The No. 6-ranked Spartans are getting ready for their rivalry matchup against Michigan at Joe Louis Arena on Saturday, the fifth game between the two teams this season. Oh, and they also are preparing for tonight's home game against Ferris State. It's not difficult for MSU (17-8-2 overall, 13-6-2 CCHA) to treat the Bulldogs (9-18-3, 6-14-2) as an afterthought to a key matchup with the No.
The Spartans have looked at their schedule and seen the remaining games. But they're not getting ahead of themselves. With two games apiece against CCHA bottom-feeders Western Michigan, Bowling Green and Ferris State, MSU seemingly could declare a first-round CCHA playoff bye right now.
Junior forward Bryan Lerg was named CCHA Offensive Player of the Week on Monday for his four-point performance in last weekend's series against Nebraska-Omaha.
As soon as the Spartans took the ice Friday in Omaha, it was clear they left their travel legs on the airplane. MSU (17-8-2 overall, 13-6-2 CCHA) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in Friday's game against Nebraska-Omaha and ended up winning, 5-1, in a penalty-free game.
After games against low-scoring, physical teams in recent weeks, the Spartans may feel like they've been cast into a Monty Python movie this weekend against Nebraska-Omaha.
Sometimes, just going with the flow can be a good thing. The no-questions-asked mentality of versatile senior Tyler Howells has made MSU head coach Rick Comley's job much easier. When the team was riddled with illness and injury, Comley tried a number of different line combinations. He tried senior forward Brandon Warner — with a career total of nine points — on the top line.