Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Hockey Downs Massachusetts, 3-1
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
October 17, 1998
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Damon Whitten scored midway through the second period and Michigan State dominated the rest of the way en route to a 3-1 victory over Massachusetts Saturday at Munn Ice Arena.
After struggling in the first period, the Spartans rebounded and earned their first win.
"After the first period Coach Mason challenged the players because we weren't playing Spartan hockey," Whitten said, "and the players challenged each other. We really changed our style of play from that point on and the goal capped it off."
The Spartans were tied, 1-1, after one period thanks to Shawn Mather's first career goal and an equalizer from UMass's Nathan Sell. After freshman left wing Joe Goodenow's shot was blocked, fellow rookie Adam Hall chipped the puck to Mather, who blasted it past goaltender Markus Helanen.
Whitten's goal was a product of strong cycling down low from the sophomore left wing and his linemates, senior Curtis Gemmel and sophomore John Nail. Gemmel set up Whitten in front, and he flipped a back-hander over Helanen.
The Spartans took over from there, outshooting UMass 24-8 in the final two periods (34-17 on the game).
Senior center Mike York notched the insurance goal -- his first goal of the season -- on a 5-on-3 power play, blasting a slapshot just under the crossbar.
Sophomore goaltender Joe Blackburn, who allowed just one goal in each game this weekend, stopped 16 shots for MSU.
NOTES
* The first four Michigan State points of the season belonged to freshmen.
* Sophomore goaltender Joe Blackburn has allowed just one goal in each of his last three Munn Ice Arena starts. His season numbers: 1-0-1 record, 0.96 goals-against average, .947 save percentage.
* Michigan State extended its home unbeaten streak to 15 games. The school record is 20 games, set in 1986.
* The Spartans are unbeaten in their last 11 non-conference regular-season games (10-0-1), dating back to Dec. 27, 1996.
