Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Nebraska-Omaha
Hockey Downs Nebraska Omaha, 3-1
1/14/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Jan. 14, 2000
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Ron Mason's wish list for the 60th birthday he celebrated Friday probably looked something like this:
* four healthy forward lines
* continued great play for his captain, Shawn Horcoff
* solid production from the team's newcomer, Steve Jackson
* an early goal to take some pressure off
and, most importantly,
* a win over Nebraska Omaha to snap MSU's two-game slide and keep the Spartans in a tie for first in the CCHA.
All of those birthday wishes were granted, as the Spartans improved to 16-7-0 (12-5-0 CCHA) in a 3-1 win over the Mavericks Friday night.
Michigan State, eager to avenge Thursday's overtime loss, got going quickly with a goal by freshman right wing Kris Koski 59 seconds into the game.
"I have to tell you, it wasn't a very happy birthday all day after what happened last night," Mason said after the game, "but tonight helps a lot. I thought our players made a statement scoring in the first minute."
As much as anything, Michigan State was helped by the return to the lineup of senior defenseman Brad Hodgins and junior forwards Damon Whitten and Rustyn Dolyny.
Whitten and Dolyny factored in Koski's goal, as Whitten forced a UNO turnover near the top of the circle in the Mavericks' zone. Koski picked up the loose puck and got it low to Dolyny, who was still fighting the effects of the flu which kept him out of Thursday's game. Dolyny kicked the puck back to Koski, who went five hole for his second career goal.
"We couldn't change our game much after last night, but we changed personnel," Mason said. "Those were key guys we were missing. Having a fourth line really helped as well."
The Spartans dominated the first period, outshooting Nebraska Omaha 19-4, but could only manage a 1-0 lead.
"I thought their goaltending (Rodney McLeod) was spectacular all night long, especially in the first period," Mason said. "We had 45 shots and a lot of them were blasts from good positions."
Michigan State's 45 shots for the game set a new season high. UNO managed 19 shots on goal, 10 of which came in the third period. Freshman Ryan Miller made 18 saves for MSU.
The Spartans put more distance between themselves and the visitors in the second period thanks to the newest member of the team, Jackson, and its most seasoned veteran, Horcoff. Senior defenseman Mike Weaver was the lone assist on both of their goals.
Jackson, playing in his second career game after joining the team when classes began Monday, took a cross-ice pass from Weaver and gained the UNO zone. He fired a slap shot from the top of the circle that beat McLeod to the top corner of his glove side.
"It was an amazing feeling," Jackson said. "The roar of the crowd, the band starting up, going by the bench. Amazing.
"My dad actually told me today that I was going to score, and I just said, 'I hope so,'" added Jackson, who pointed to his parents in the crowd after the goal. "I was getting the chances yesterday, and I was hoping to put one in early."
"Steve is very fast, and he has a good shot," Mason said. "We saw that tonight. I had mentioned to him earlier that rather than try to stickhandle around people he should just shoot it, and with his shot good things will happen."
Another cross-ice pass from Weaver set up the Spartans' third goal, by Horcoff with just 34 seconds left in the second. Horcoff raced in on a breakaway and caught McLeod just before he could try to poke-check the puck.
The goal was Horcoff's ninth of the year and adds to his national lead in points. He surpassed his point total from all of last year with his 38th (nine goals, 29 assists).
Jeff Hoggan spoiled Miller's shutout bid in the third, but Michigan State got the all-important win and allowed its coach to enjoy his birthday.
