Michigan State University Athletics
Spartan Hockey Opens Regular Season vs. WMU
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
October 16, 1998
#4 SPARTAN HOCKEY
vs.
WESTERN MICHIGAN
Date October 16
Site Munn Ice Arena
Time 7 p.m.
Note of the Night
Starting over - The last time MSU opened the season against Western Michigan was the first time the two teams ever met. It was also Ron Masons first game, and first win, as MSU head coach (7-6 on Oct. 19, 1979).
Five More Notes No Media Person Should Be Without
1. For starters - MSU is 15-3-1 under Ron Mason and 7-0-1 in the 1990s in season openers.
2. Starting blocks - Michigan State starts the regular season tonight, 12 days later than the Spartans started a year ago. Last season, MSU was the first U.S. college team to start its season; this year, nine of the 11 CCHA teams have already played a game. In the league only Alaska Fairbanks, which starts tonight at 7 p.m. Alaska time, starts later.
3. Wanna start somethin? - The Spartans are 4-2-2 in home openers in the 1990s and 6-1-1 in their first CCHA game of the season during that time.
4. New release: Bride of Chucky - Sophomore goaltender Joe Blackburn, nicknamed "Chuck" by his teammates, did not allow a goal in MSUs two exhibition games, stopping all 25 shots he faced.
Blackburn had a 2.23 goals-against average a year ago, better than all but two of the CCHAs starting goalies (MSUs Chad Alban and Michigans Marty Turco).
He has an excellent tutor as he takes over the starting position: every one of Ron Masons starting goalies has earned first- or second-team All-CCHA at some point in their career since MSU joined the league in 1981-82.
5. Fantastic frosh - MSU freshmen were impressive in the teams two exhibition appearances, the Green & White Game and against Western Ontario. The five rookies accounted for five of the 11 goals in those two games and a total of nine points.
Did You Know?
Munn-der-full - MSU carries a 13-game home unbeaten streak and an eight-game home winning streak into tonights game. The Spartans last home loss came Dec. 7, 1997, a 1-0 setback to Bowling Green. The school records for home unbeaten streak (20) and home winning streak (18) were set in 1986.
Behind the benches - Ron Mason and Bill Wilkinson are longtime friends who both attended the same college (St. Lawrence, although at different times).
Are you sure those stats dont count? - Michigan States scoring leaders in its two exhibition appearances (Green & White Game, vs. Western Ontario): Senior C Mike York (2-5-7); freshman RW Adam Hall (3-1-4); junior C Shawn Horcoff (2-0-2); freshman LW Joe Goodenow (1-1-2), senior LW Bryan Adams, junior D Brad Hodgins and freshman D Jon Insana (0-2-2).
Get the Sensation! - Senior center Mike York, who had 2-5-7 totals to lead the team in the Green & White and Western Ontario games, is a returning first-team All-American and Hobey Baker finalist. He had a hand in 45.2% of MSUs goals in the 40 games he played last season.
I was born in a small town - Two Spartans - freshman right wing Adam Hall and sophomore defenseman Matt Kruzich - are from Kalamazoo and play their hometown team tonight.
Two few - In each of the last 19 meetings between MSU and WMU, at least one team has been held to two goals or fewer.
No stranger to Broncos - Freshman right wing Joe Goodenow is an avid horseman and member of the MSU rodeo club.
Hockey East? - Four Western Michigan players hail from New England.
Here and there Six of MSUs first seven games are at Munn Ice Arena. The Spartans then play 17 of 23 games away from Munn Ice Arena, including plane trips to Alaska, the U.P. and Wisconsin and Minnesota. Five of MSUs last seven games are at Munn Ice Arena.
Pump you up This years sophomore class has seen great benefits from MSUs off-season strength and conditioning program. The seven sophomores have gained an average of 10.6 pounds in the off-season, led by Damon Whitten (14 pounds) and Joe Blackburn (13).
Like Ireland (The Emerald Isle) - Three former Spartans are on the New York Islanders opening day roster (Bryan Smolinski, Kevin Miller and Mike Watt), headlining a total of 12 MSU veterans on NHL opening day rosters this season.
Miller time - Kelly Miller (Washington Capitals) is on the verge of becoming the first former Spartan and second former CCHA player (Jamie Macoun) to play in 1,000 NHL games. He is currently at 997 and is expected to play No. 1,000 on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
INJURY REPORT - Senior defenseman Chris Bogas (OUT, recovering from surgery on his left wrist, approximately 3-5 weeks).
The fries at the bottom of the bag - Former Spartan Anson Carter, a Boston Bruins holdout, practiced with the team this week ... MSU had four eight-game unbeaten streaks last year and lost the ninth game each time ... MSU has won its last five games and eight of its last nine at Joe Louis Arena ... three Spartans were featured on SportsCenters Plays of the Week last year ... the Spartans were 12-0-1 last year when they had more penalties than their opponent...two opponents who MSU has never faced visit Munn Arena this year: Massachusetts and Nebraska-Omaha.
SERIES INFORMATION vs. WESTERN MICHIGAN:
* MSU leads, 47-19-3
* In East Lansing: MSU leads, 24-4-3
* Last meeting: MSU 4, WMU 2 (2/13/98)
* First meeting: MSU 7, WMU 6 (10/19/79)
* Last years series: MSU won, 2-0-1
* MSU is 4-0-1 in the last five since a 5-2 loss in Kalamazoo on Feb. 7, 1997
* WMU has managed only six goals in the last five meetings
* MSU is 8-0-1 in the last nine at Munn and last lost to WMU at home Dec. 11, 1993
* Usually low-scoring affairs, only once in the last nine meetings has either team scored five goals (WMU on 2/7/97, against Mike Gresl, then MSUs third-string goalie)
* At least one team has been held to two goals or fewer in each of the last 19 meetings
SPARTAN LEADERS vs. WMU
Player (Yr., Pos.), GP, G-A-P
Mike York (Sr., C), 11 GP, 2-8-10
Mark Loeding (Sr., LW), 11 GP, 3-1-4
Jeff Kozakowski (Sr., D), 10 GP, 2-2-4
Chris Bogas (Sr., D), 11 GP, 1-3-4
