Michigan State University Athletics
Spartans Extend School-Record Unbeaten Streak
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
March 5, 1999
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State used a quick four-goal outburst in the second period to set a record which is a testament to consistency.
The Spartans got all of their goals in a span of 7:14 to lift MSU to a 4-1 win over Ferris State.
The victory extends Michigan State's unbeaten streak to 23 games, establishing a new school record (18-0-5). The old record of 22 games without a loss was set Dec. 29, 1984, to Feb. 15, 1985.
"That's impressive, to go that long without a loss," head coach Ron Mason said. "When you look at how competitive this league is, top to bottom, it's unbelievable. It is certainly tougher to do now than it was in 1985."
The Spartans, who have already clinched the CCHA regular-season title and close out the regular season tomorrow against Ferris State, improve to 26-3-7 (20-2-7 CCHA).
The four-goal run started with a goal from senior defenseman Jeff Kozakowski, his fifth of the year, set up by Mike York and Bryan Adams.
Next came another version of the Spartan short-handed show, as a penalty was called just 22 seconds after the first goal. That spelled doom for Ferris State, however, as MSU continued its incredible short-handed run.
Sophomore right wing Rustyn Dolyny converted on a tremendous pass from junior center Shawn Horcoff, giving MSU its 13th SHG against 12 power-play goals allowed.
"Horcoff was giving me great passes all night," said Dolyny, who added a second goal to cap off the scoring run. "We got ahead of them and that's what we wanted to do. It opened the game up a lot and there were lots of scoring opportunities."
Adams added a goal at the 11:12 mark of the second period, finishing a great play by York for his 20th goal of the season.
"York just got it and all I was doing was trying to catch up with him," Adams said. "He made some great moves and the puck was just sitting there, so I put it away. It was an easy one for me."
By the time Dolyny finished the scoring run, Michigan State had put the game away. For a team which has allowed more than two goals only three times all season, a 4-0 lead pretty much clinched it.
Ferris State did answer with a goal of its own in the third, albeit a controversial one. Brian McCullough's shot was stopped by sophomore goaltender Joe Blackburn, but it trickled behind him and close to the line. The red light went on and referee Duke Shegos called it a goal.
"A shutout was in the back of my mind, I won't lie," Blackburn said, "but it's better to give up a goal like that in a 4-0 game than a 1-1 game."
The two teams meet again tomorrow night at Munn Ice Arena in the regular-season finale. MSU's Senior Night festivities begin at 6:40 p.m., so fans are encouraged to arrive early.
NOTES
With the win, Michigan State extended its unbeaten streak to 23 games (18-0-5), establishing a new school record. The Spartans last lost Nov. 29 (2-1 at Minnesota) and started the streak Dec. 4 with a win over Nebraska-Omaha. The previous record of 22 games was set from Dec. 29, 1984, to Feb. 15, 1985.
The Spartans extended their school-record home unbeaten streak to 29 games (24-0-5 since Dec. 7, 1997).
With SO RW Rustyn Dolynys second-period short-handed goal, Michigan State has now scored 13 SHGs this season and allowed only 12 power-play goals. Dolyny is now tied for the national lead with four SHGs on the year.
MSU has not allowed a power-play goal in the last seven games (26 opportunities) and have scored three short-handed goals in that time.
SR C Mike Yorks two assists give him 191 career points, 17th-best all-time at MSU. York leads MSU with 19-25-44 totals and has had a hand in almost as many goals (44) as MSU opponents have scored (47). He leads the CCHA with a +30 plus/minus rating.
The second period matched MSUs best offensive output in one period (four goals, also done Oct. 23 vs. BGSU and Jan. 3 vs. UAF).
SO RW Rustyn Dolyny had his seventh career two-goal game and fourth this year.
There were a total of 28 penalties for 120 minutes called at the 3:15 mark of the third period (14 penalties for 60 minutes on each team).
Michigan States 74 penalty minutes in the game were a season-high and the second-highest total in school history (behind 108 vs. Western Michigan, Jan. 31, 1997).
The win gives Michigan State a 10-point lead in the CCHA over Michigan (which lost at Lake Superior) and idle Ohio State. The Spartans have 47 points. If MSU maintains its 10-point edge over second place, it will be the largest margin between the first-place team and the second-place team since Lake Superior won the league by 10 points over Bowling Green in 1987-88.
Michigan State has allowed one goal or less in 26 of 36 games this season.
Miami beat Notre Dame, 3-2 in OT, and Lake Superior beat Michigan, 3-2, tonight. Miami can clinch the eighth and final playoff spot (which will play at MSU next weekend) with a win or a tie over Notre Dame tomorrow or a Lake Superior loss or a tie against Western Michigan tomorrow. The Spartans wil face Lake Superior if the Lakers win tomorrow and Miami loses.
