Michigan State University
Wisconsin
MSU Hockey Outlasts Wisconsin
11/23/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 23, 2001
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State senior defenseman Andrew Hutchinson's late goal gave Michigan State a 2-1 win over Wisconsin at Munn Ice Arena in the College Hockey Showcase Friday, Nov. 23.
With the game tied 1-1, Hutchinson's centering pass from behind the net deflected off Wisconsin goaltender Scott Kabotoff and Badger defenseman Rob Vega and into the net with 5:17 remaining in the third.
"Basically, I tried to make a play up front, tried to throw it soft so it would sit up nice in the crease so it wouldn't go through, give them a chance to break out," Hutchinson said. "Give them some offense there at the end of the game. Fortunately the goalie deflected it and it went off the guy's leg and made a nice play. A lot of intensity in front of the net, pushed a guy on his back and it went in. I thought that (freshman forward Lee Falardeau) scored it. He's the guy that made the play happen. It was two guys fighting for the puck."
Michigan State took the lead just 3:03 into the contest on Jim Slater's fourth goal of the season. Slater won a faceoff in the Wisconsin end that was passed back to the point by Adam Hall. The point shot from John-Michael Liles was tipped past Kabotoff high into the upper-right corner of the net.
Wisconsin evened the score with 7:45 left in the second period on a goal from Rene Bourque, his third of the season. Bourque chipped a loose puck past Ryan Miller following a frantic scramble on the edge of the crease. Andy Wheeler and David Hukalo picked up assists on the goal.
Miller made 22 saves in the contest. Kabotoff finished the game with 30 saves.
Michigan State was 0-for-5 on the power play and Wisconsin failed to score in three power play chances.
The crowd of 6,880 marked the 277th-consecutive regular-season sellout at Munn Ice Arena. College Hockey Showcase play continues on Sunday, when the Spartans (9-2-1, 7-2-1 CCHA) host top-ranked Minnesota at 1:35 p.m.
