Michigan State University
Quinnipiac
MSU Hockey Downs Quinnipiac
1/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Jan. 4, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State extended its home unbeaten streak to 28 games, beating Quinnipiac 4-1 in front of 6,569 at Munn Ice Arena tonight. The Spartans (14-4-2 overall, 10-3-1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association), who are 25-0-3 in their last 28 at home, need a win or a tie against Quinnipiac tomorrow night to equal the school-record unbeaten streak of 29 games, set from Jan. 9, 1998-March 5, 1999.
"It was a workmanlike job tonight," said MSU head coach Ron Mason. "I thought our players did what they were supposed to do and that's what you like in a game like this. There wasn't a lot of emotion in the building."
Mike Lalonde (Chetwynd, B.C.) got the Spartans on the board with the lone goal of the first period. Linemate Steve Clark (Mississauga, Ont.) flipped the puck out of the MSU zone, springing Lalonde for a breakaway as he split two Quinnipiac defenders. The MSU freshman easily beat goaltender Justin Eddy for his fifth goal of the season at 9:08.
"It bounced my way and I picked it up and went in," said Lalonde. "There's no real secret to it. It was just kind of a lucky bounce and we capitalized on it.
The Spartans opened a 3-0 lead after two periods thanks to a pair of power-play goals. Joe Goodenow (Toronto, Ont.) gave MSU a 2-0 edge with his sixth goal of the year. His tip attempt of a Andrew Hutchinson (Hudson, Ohio) shot was stopped by Eddy, but he got the rebound and poked it between the Quinnipiac netminder's legs 4:28 into the second.
Brad Fast (Fort St. John, B.C.) notched the Spartans' third goal at 15:06. His shot from just inside the blue line eluded a screened Jamie Holden, who took over in goal for Quinnipiac after Eddy left the game with cramps after Goodenow's goal.
"Our power play is dangerous again," said Mason. "If we get power play chances, we have a good chance to score a goal."
Quinnipiac thwarted MSU's quest for a seventh shutout this season when Ryan Morton scored with 4:48 left in regulation. Tom Watkins' shot appeared to be headed well wide of the Spartan net before it caromed off Morton and past goaltender Ryan Miller (East Lansing, Mich.).
John-Michael Liles (Zionsville, Ind.) extended his goal streak to three games with an insurance marker at 18:08. Two defenders moved to take centerman Tim Hearon (Southgate, Mich.) out of the play as he carried the puck into the offensive zone, leaving Liles wide open in the near faceoff circle for a shot that beat Holden high.
Miller made 14 saves for the Spartans. Eddy stopped 17 shots for Quinnipiac, while Holden made 21 saves.
The two teams wrap up their series tomorrow at Munn Ice Arena. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
