Michigan State University Athletics
Short-Handed Hockey Completes Sweep of UAF
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
January 4, 1999
EAST LANSING, Mich. - In a sense, Alaska Fairbanks finished Sundays matinee with Michigan State minus-three for six power-play opportunities.
Behind three first-period short-handed goals -- with Rustyn Dolyny having a hand in all three -- the Spartans finished off their three-game sweep of the Nanooks and moved into first place in the CCHA.
MSU is now 16-3-2 overall (10-2-2 CCHA) as it returns home from Fairbanks, Alaska. UAF is 5-12-0 (4-11-0).
Dolyny started things with his second short-handed goal of the year at the 10:04 mark of the first, as he forced a turnover at the blue line and beat goaltender Chris Marvel with a wrist shot.
Senior left wing Mark Loeding continued the impressive play of Michigan States fourth line with his second goal of the season just 2:42 later. He finished off a pretty feed from behind the net courtesy of Curtis Gemmel.
The Spartans continued the short-handed scoring spree after a Joe Goodenow penalty. Dolyny again was the beneficiary of an Alaska Fairbanks turnover, converting on passes from junior center Shawn Horcoff and senior defenseman Chris Bogas.
For Dolyny, it was his third short-handed goal of the season, moving him into the NCAA lead ahead of teammates Horcoff and senior left wing Bryan Adams -- at least briefly.
Horcoff moved into a share of that lead with his third short-handed goal of the season at 19:16 of the first period. Dolyny actualy had a chance at the natural short-handed hat trick, but gave up the puck on a two-on-one to his linemate, who beat Marvel.
"I think they are struggling on their power play and we were able to capitalize on some of their mistakes," Dolyny said.
Head coach Ron Mason could not remember a team scoring three short-handed goals in one period.
While sophomore left wing Damon Whitten added a second period goal against replacement netminder Ian Perkins, the only suspense remaining was whether MSU could leave Alaska with a shutout for goaltender Mike Gresl.
Gresl stopped six shots in both the second and the third, following a seven-save first period, to earn his second shutout of the season. He has posted the victory in five games during MSUs current eight-game winning streak and made a case for more playing time upon the return of sophomore goaltender Joe Blackburn from the U.S. National Junior Team.
The Spartans return to action Friday, Jan. 8, against Miami on FOX Sports Detroit and Saturday, Jan. 9, against Bowling Green on Comcast Network TV.
NOTES:
* Michigan State extended its winning streak to eight games, its longest of the season. It matches the Spartans longest winning streak from all of last year.
* The Spartans have now scored 10 short-handed goals and allowed just seven power-play goals.
* Mike Gresl has allowed one goal or less in four of five games. His updated season stats: 5-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .950 save percentage.
