Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Findlay (Ice Breaker Tournament)
Ice Hockey Falls 4-3 To Findlay In Season Opener
10/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Oct. 10, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The No. 12/11 Michigan State hockey team dropped a 4-3 decision to Findlay in the season opening Ice Breaker Tournament at Munn Ice Arena Friday (Oct. 10). The Oilers (1-0-0, 0-0-0) put three unanswered goals on the board in the third period to edge the Spartans (0-1-0, 0-0-0) and will move on to play Boston College in the championship game Saturday (Oct. 11).
"They dominated us in a lot of aspects of the game, but we have a resilient squad," said Findlay head coach Pat Ford. "They expended a lot of energy dominating us, which worked in our favor, and our goaltender played well. It wasn't one or two guys contributing, it was the whole team."
Findlay tested MSU freshman goaltender Dominic Vicari in the early seconds of the first period, sailing a shot high over the goal. The Oiler threat would be contained with a quick obstruction-tripping penalty on UF forward Kris Wiebe and State capitalized. Mike Lalonde received a pass from Colton Fretter and banked it in off Findlay goalie Jon Horrell from the sharpest of angels at the 3:01 mark for a 1-0 lead.
Spartan captain Jim Slater got into the action in the first period as well, netting his first goal of the season at 16:22. Slater took a sharp pass from Tommy Goebel in the neutral zone and drove through the Oiler defense, wristing a shot past Horrell.
Michigan State had numerous chances during the period to add to its lead. Freshman A.J. Thelen had a terrific opportunity in his first collegiate game, but Horrell made a highlight-reel save midway through by getting his glove up just in time to close up a once-open net. UF forward Mike Batovanja also shined defensively, blocking two shots in one Michigan State rush.
"We got outplayed," said Slater. "We were tired. We didn't play Michigan State hockey. We obviously need to raise the intensity. They worked hard and a lot of credit goes to them."
Findlay got on the board at 2:05 in the second period after Lalonde was called for an elbowing to the head penalty. Brian Sherry tipped a shot from the blue line by Nate Markus through traffic in front of Vicari and reached the back of the net for the power play tally. Just over 14 minutes later, another MSU freshman took charge as Chris Lawrence backhanded the puck on Horrell's stickside just inside the post for the 3-1 State lead and his first goal in a Green and White jersey.
Michigan State's offense disappeared in the third period, with its first shot on goal coming from Brock Radunske at the 11:21 mark. However, the Oilers already tied it up at three apiece with the first goal scored by Batovanja at 1:27 as he one-timed a cross-ice pass from Kurtis Peterson past Vicari. Findlay's second goal of the period came on the power play at 10:25 when Andrew Radzak fired a shot into the net from the top of the right face-off circle.
UF took the lead for good with its third unanswered goal just 1:48 later. Wiebe fired the eventual game-winning wrist shot on Vicari's glove side, which the young goaltender could not handle in time.
"Our young defensemen played well, but they need to improve," explained MSU head coach Rick Comley. "I think tonight we caught some bad bounces. (Findlay was) pesky and created some turnovers."
The Spartans' best opportunity to tie it up came with just under five minutes remaining as Goebel entered the Oiler defensive zone and after deking to Horrell's left, Goebel placed a shot that just caught Horrell's left pad.
Horrell concluded the game with 27 saves while Vicari turned away 20 shots. The Oilers converted two of three power play opportunities and the Spartans managed two power play goals in six attempts.
Michigan State will take on Minnesota-Duluth in the third place game Saturday at 5 p.m.
