ICE HOCKEY
Spartans lack consistent scoring
Don't tell the hockey team that four goals over its last three games won't cut it in the playoffs.
ICE HOCKEY
Comley questions late decisions in Friday game
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.
ICE HOCKEY
From the road
Sports editor Eric Fish spent Friday at Lawson Ice Arena watching Western Michigan host MSU in a CCHA battle.
ICE HOCKEY
Icers winless in 4 games
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.
ICE HOCKEY
Icers look for answers to sluggish play
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.
ICE HOCKEY
Spartans face hot Broncos
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.
ICE HOCKEY
MSU must pick up offensive play
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.
ICE HOCKEY
WEB EXTRA: Icers' 9-game unbeaten streak ends with 2-1 loss to Ferris State
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.
ICE HOCKEY
No. 6 MSU faces off at Ferris State
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.
ICE HOCKEY
Spartans extend unbeaten streak
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.
ICE HOCKEY
WEB EXTRA: Icers to take on Ferris State, Michigan
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.
ICE HOCKEY
Icers look for strong finish as season closes
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.
ICE HOCKEY
Lerg scores CCHA honors
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.
ICE HOCKEY
Spartans unbeaten in last 7 contests
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.
ICE HOCKEY
Icers look to continue winning ways
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.
ICE HOCKEY
Versatile Howells is key in Spartans' success
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.
ICE HOCKEY
Howells named finalist for Frozen Four competition
MSU senior forward Tyler Howells has been named a finalist for the NCAA Frozen Four Skills Challenge.
ICE HOCKEY
Comley weighs in on NHL
According to television reports, last week's NHL All-Star game, which took place on a Wednesday night in an attempt to boost ratings, experienced a 76 percent drop in viewership compared with the 2004 game. The all-star game and skills competition from Dallas was televised nationally on Versus as opposed to 2004's All-Star game, which was shown on ABC on a Sunday afternoon.
ICE HOCKEY
Spartans remain in conference hunt
While the bye week was a restful one, the MSU hockey team did more moving than it would have liked. The Spartans, who have 25 points in the CCHA so far this year, dropped from third to fourth in the league standings during their idle weekend, while Michigan surpassed MSU with a pair of conference wins. "It doesn't really matter until all games have been played," MSU head coach Rick Comley said.
ICE HOCKEY
Manning the blue line
Even with a few old faces, this is a new MSU defense on the ice. Junior Jeff Dunne and sophomore Brandon Gentile are finally healthy.