Michigan State University Athletics
Miller, MSU Hockey Shut Out Miami
11/16/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 16, 2001
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Call Michigan State head coach Ron Mason Nostradamus.
Prior to this week's Miami series at Munn Ice Arena, Mason said if the Spartans managed to shut out the RedHawks in either game, it'd be because of the play of goaltender Ryan Miller (East Lansing, Mich.). Miller delivered just that Friday night, turning aside all 23 shots he faced as MSU (7-2-1 overall, 6-2-1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association) handed Miami a 3-0 defeat in front of 6,608 fans at Munn Ice Arena.
"I think it was important to shut down Miami tonight and that's kind of the attitude I took," said Miller. "They came in flying high with a four-goals-a-game average, their power play's clicking, they have all these things going for them.
"You have to frustrate them and a good way to do that is shut them down completely."
The shutout, the 22nd of Miller's career, extends the RedHawks' scoreless streak in East Lansing to 232:07. Miami (6-4-1, 4-2-1) last scored a goal in Munn on March 11, 2000, when they dropped a 5-1 decision in the final game of a two-game, first-round CCHA playoff series.
Senior wing Joe Goodenow (Toronto, Ont.) gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead early in the second period with a power-play goal at 3:08. Junior defenseman John-Michael Liles (Zionsville, Ind.) carried the puck into the offensive zone and drove to the cage. RedHawk goaltender David Burleigh stopped the initial shot but Goodenow was there to convert the rebound, breaking a six-game scoring slump with his fourth goal of the season.
Junior defenseman Brad Fast (Fort St. John, B.C.) doubled the MSU edge less than five minutes later with his fourth goal of year 8:05 into the second period on a drive from the near half-boards. The goal came at the end of a back-and-forth sequence during which the Spartans' Brian Maloney (Bassano, Alta.) had a breakaway attempt thwarted by Burleigh, who darted out to the blue line to poke the puck out of harm's way.
Liles added an insurance goal in the third period - his fourth of the season - on the Spartans' second power-play opportunity of the night. Freshman Ash Goldie (London, Ont.) drew the puck back to Liles, who walked to the middle of the rink and beat Burleigh, who made also made 23 saves on the evening, with a low shot through traffic.
"I attribute all those goals from the blue line to (Adam) Hall putting himself in front and not letting the goalie see anything," said Liles. "All I try to do is get past Hallsy and usually it will get in."
The two teams return to action tomorrow night at Munn Ice Arena. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.
