Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Bowling Green
MSU Hockey Blanks Bowling Green
11/2/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 2, 2001
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State hockey fans saw the Ryan Miller (East Lansing, Mich.) they've come to know over the past two seasons at Munn Ice Arena Friday.
The defending Hobey Baker Award winner shook off any lingering effects of last weekend's supbar effort against Nebraska-Omaha, turning aside all 30 shots he faced as the Spartans (5-2-1, 5-2-1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association) defeated Bowling Green 4-0, earning a series sweep of the Falcons (1-5-2, 1-4-1) in the process.
Among the 30 saves was a highlight-reel effort in the first period on a Greg Day shot. Day, driving to the net, whistled a shot low to Miller's left. The Spartan goaltender swiped his glove hand forward, snatching the puck just before it crossed the goal line and just before Miller was plowed over by Bowling Green's Austin de Luis.
"That was a save standing ovations are made of," said MSU head coach Ron Mason. "Our crowd should have just gone nuts at that point to see a kid do what he did right there."
I saved it," said Miller, who notched the 21st shutout of his career with the win." All I know is when I caught it I felt like I was in front of the line the way I was positioned."
Friday's affair was a night for seconds and thirds for the Green and White.
Freshman Kevin Estrada (Surrey, B.C.), who scored his first goal against Bowling Green Thursday, and notched his second and third goals Friday. He scored State's first goal about halfway through the opening period. Junior defenseman Brad Fast (Fort St. John, B.C.) gained possession of the puck behind the Bowling Green net and slid it through the crease behind Falcon goaltender Jordan Sigalet. Estrada tipped the pass in for the easy goal at 9:18.
"We kept plugging away, got the great bounces tonight and it went in for our line," Estrada said. "I was just fighting for it for about 30 seconds there, battling with the guy in front. Brad ended up going around the fence and he kind of moved over to him and went around the goalie."
MSU took a 2-0 edge on a Steve Jackson (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) goal early in the second period. Freshman Ash Goldie (London, Ont.) fired a shot that kicked back to junior defenseman Jon Insana (New Baltimore, Mich.). Insana moved the puck over to Steve Jackson (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), who scored his second goal of the season.
"I just picked up the rebound," Jackson said. "The guys on my line did all the work. Jon Insana actually gave it to me. I got lucky and put it in. My line has been working hard the last past couple days, fortunately we were able to get one today."
Team captain Adam Hall (Kalamazoo, Mich.) gave the Spartans a 3-0 lead with a goal 5:40 into the third period. Freshman Brock Radunske (New Hamburg, Ont.) picked the puck up in the far corner and moved it behind the net to Jim Slater (Lapeer, Mich.). Slater moved out in front of the net and got the puck to Hall, who quickly fired it past Sigalet.
Estrada provided the final margin of victory, scoring his third goal of the season off a rebound of a Tim Hearon (Southgate, Mich.) shot with 8:36 left in regulation.
"I wasn't completely pleased with the way we played (Thursday)," said Mason. "Tonight, we settled down and played more balanced hockey. Our goaltender got the shutout and that's the reason we won."
"We're learning a lot about our team right now and I think we made big steps tonight," added Miller. "Good solid win, good solid weekend - it was all positive."
The Spartans continues their seven-game homestand when they welcome HOCKEY EAST-foe Mass.-Amherst to Munn Ice Arena for a single game Friday, Nov. 9. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. EST.
