Michigan State University Athletics
Another Night, Another MSU Hockey Shutout
1/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Jan. 20, 2001
EAST LANSING, Mich. - John Nail (Brampton, Ont.) stepped up to lead the Spartans with a rare natural hat trick and Ryan Miller (East Lansing, Mich.) simply was Ryan Miller as MSU skated to a 5-0 defeat over Miami Saturday. The Spartans (20-1-4 overall, 13-1-3 CCHA) are 19-0-3 in their last 22 games. The RedHawks (11-11-2, 8-7-1) have lost five of their last six.
Nail became the first MSU player to record a hat trick since January 8, 1999, when current New York Ranger Mike York scored three times against Miami to pace the Spartans in a 5-1 win. Miller, meanwhile, recorded his 15th shutout of his career and his fourth in five games, passing Michigan's Marty Turco for the NCAA modern-day record. Head coach Ron Mason also reached a milestone, notching his 400th CCHA regular-season win behind the Spartan bench.
Nail started the scoring just 39 seconds into the first period, drifting into the slot to after a shot from linemate Sean Patchell (Moonstone, Ont.) was steered aside by Miami netminder David Burleigh. MSU's Andrew Bogle (Calgary, Alta.) picked up the carom and found Nail all alone for his ninth goal of the year.
Nail notched goal no. 10 11:25 into the first on the power play. Andrew Hutchinson (Rochester Hills, Mich.) took a shot when the puck bounced off a Miami player's stick in front. A wide-open Nail picked up the rebound on the left wing and beat Burleigh low to glove side.
Nail scored his third goal 14 seconds into the second, chasing Burleigh in the process. Bogle and sophomore Brad Fast (Fort St. John, B.C.) recorded assists on Nail's 11th goal of the season, a blast from just inside the blueline.
"It was a lucky night for me," said Nail. "Basically, I thought I had a couple of horse shoes with me while I was out there."
"A senior player worked his tail off to get his position to score three goals," said Mason. "That's the beauty of being in a program like ours that if you want to take advantage of the things that are available to you you can become a better player. John Nail is a poster child for that."
The change of goalies didn't stop Fast from capitalizing on the power play to bring the Spartans to a 4-0 lead 14:53 into the second period. Hutchinson passed the puck to the right side of the net, setting up Fast for a one-timer that beat back-up David Bowen through the five hole. Brian Maloney (Bassano, Alta.) also received an assist.
Junior Adam Hall (Kalamazoo, Mich.) finished the scoring at 17:29 into the third period with a rebound shot for his 12th goal of the season. Freshman Tim Hearon (Cement City, Mich.) and Maloney received assists.
"I told them tonight that I wanted them to score more and put the puck in the net," said Mason. "The biggest thing is you've got to go out and be consistent away from the puck. That's what gives you the chance to win games. We've been good at that.
"Miami's a team that has a very successful record at home and doesn't play as well on the road. If we are able to shutdown their two best weapons which is their power play and that line [Hartlieb, Deskins and Leahy], then we're going to have a chance to win the game and that's where we concentrated on."
Miller made 32 saves for Michigan State. He's posted an unbelievable 0.20 goals against average and a .992 saves percentage in five January starts. Miami's Bowen stopped 17 shots, while Burleigh made two saves before being pulled.
"The team's playing real well in front of me," said Miller. "Guys are doing whatever they can, making good plays. I'm able to eat up the rest right now.
"I got a few more shots than last night and they had a few more power play opportunities. I'm fortunate. When I do make a mistake I get a little luck now. Hopefully I can save a little of that for the playoffs."
Despite his offensive heriocs tonight, Nail said the combination of Miller and the team defensive effort has been the real story over the past few games.
"Never in my life have I ever had a goalie have four or five shutouts in the last six games," said Nail. "We're proud of what we did this weekend. Our team's building on our success is a good sign that our team's willing to work hard."
MSU seeks to extend its unbeaten streak to a school-record tying 23 games this Tuesday when the Spartans host Lake Superior State at Munn Ice Arena.
