Michigan State University
Wisconsin (College Hockey Showcase)
Spartan Hockey Upends Wisconsin, 2-1 In Overtime
11/30/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 30, 2002
MADISON, Wis. - Senior defenseman John-Michael Liles (Zionsville, Ind.) was the hero for Michigan State on Saturday night (Nov. 30) in Madison, Wis. Liles' goal at the 3:50 mark of the extra stanza gave the Spartans a 2-1 victory over Wisconsin (5-9 overall, 1-5 WCHA) at the Kohl Center in the College Hockey Showcase.
"I saw the puck and it was spinning in the slot," said Liles. "I just wanted to put in on net. There were a lot of players there and I was just trying to get a shot. I think it might have deflected off of someone and went in."
It was the work of the Spartans in the extra session that helped Michigan State (6-6-1 overall, 3-4 CCHA) earn the victory. Senior forward Brian Maloney (Basano, Alta.) dug the puck out from behind the net and just passed it out into the slot. A Wisconsin player tried to clear the puck, but it ended up on Liles stick and he buried it for his third goal of the campaign.
"Both teams worked hard tonight," said MSU head coach Rick Comley. "We are still struggling to score. I think our young kids were a little tired tonight."
For the second straight night, Michigan State jumped on the scoreboard first as David Booth (Washington, Mich.) buried a puck over the Badgers goalie at the 13:19 mark of the second period on the power play. Defenseman Brad Fast (Fort St. John, B.C.) took the initial shot on goal from the slot and Booth buried the rebound for his fifth marker of the season.
Wisconsin tied the game at one, also on the power play, at the 4:40 mark of the third period. Rene Bourque took a feed from Alex Leavitt and pulled the Spartan goalie out of the net as Boruque put the puck into the empty net.
 Matt Migliaccio stopped 34-of-35 shots in a 2-1 overtime victory at Wisconsin.  | |
Scott Kabotoff stopped 24 shots for the Badgers.
The Spartans return to league play next weekend (Dec. 6-7) when State plays a home-and-home series with CCHA leader Ferris State. On Friday, Dec. 6, MSU heads to Big Rapids for a 7:35 p.m. face-off, while on Saturday the two teams will meet at Munn Arena for a 7:05 p.m. face-off.
Spartan Notebook
* With tonight's win, MSU snapped a 0-3-1 streak.
* Four Spartans (Lee Falardeau, David Booth, Corey Potter and Evan Shaw) skated for Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves, when he served as the head coach of the U.S. National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor.
* Freshman forward David Booth finished the weekend with three goals and two assists for five points on the weekend.
* The Spartans have played three straight overtime contests, compiling a 1-1-1 mark.
