Michigan State University
Ohio State
Hockey Falls To Ohio State, 4-1
10/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Oct. 18, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State hockey dropped a 4-1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association contest to Ohio State at Munn Ice Arena on Saturday, Oct. 18. With the win, OSU swept the Spartans in East Lansing for the first time in school history.
After putting five goals against Michigan State in last night's contest, Ohio State took charge again by scoring first in tonight's contest. At 14:53 in the first period, junior J.B. Bittner took a feed from senior Scott May and pushed it past Spartan netminder Dominic Vicari (Clinton Township, Mich.).
Vicari, who was making his second start of the season, finished with 17 saves on 21 shots. The Spartans posted 24 shots against OSU, with only one making it past Mike Betz.
Vicari said after making tonight's start he feels more comfortable, but is eager to work on improving his game.
"It's one of those things that is day-by-day," commented Vicari. "You can do all the practicing you want, but it's the games that help you out."
Forty-one seconds into the second period, Michigan State captain Jim Slater (Lapeer, Mich.) put the Spartans on the board by nailing a shot on the post of Ohio State's goal and past the Buckeye goaltender. Assisting on Slater's goal were sophomore Jared Nightingale (Cheboygan, Mich.) and freshman A.J. Thelen (Savage, Minn.). The goal was MSU's first since Slater scored in the third period of the Oct.11 Minnesota-Duluth contest.
"It was a tough game we played out there tonight," said Slater. "We are disappointed that we lost two games at home this weekend. We need to get back to work on Monday and get prepared for next weekend."
The Buckeyes answered back in the second period at 3:37, when junior Lee Spector pegged a goal past Vicari. OSU continued to set the pace as they tallied one more against Michigan State when senior Scott May took a feed from Matt Waddell to give the Buckeyes a 3-1 lead.
Ohio State (4-2 overall, 3-1 CCHA) sealed the win when May scored for a second time at 8:15 in the third period for a 4-1 advantage.
Michigan State Head Coach Rick Comley said he thought his team played well in the match against Ohio State.
"I thought they (Michigan State) played well. We worked hard and our effort was fine," remarked Comley. "Ohio State got the lead both nights, and when they get the lead, they get better."
Comley said he is realistic about winning, but hopes the youth and nerves of his players fades as the season continues.
"We have to find a way to get goals and the answer lies in the locker room," said Comley. "It's a killer. It's really tough to build up all week to play at home, and the crowd is great. It's tough for freshmen to come in here and be really, really effective."
Michigan State (1-3 overall, 0-2 CCHA) hosts Western Michigan in a home-and-home next weekend (Oct. 24-25). Friday's contest at Munn Ice Arena begins at 7:05 p.m., while Saturday's game at Lawson Ice Arena is set for 8:05 p.m.
SPARTAN NOTEBOOK
** Junior Steve Swistak made his first appearance of the season against Ohio State. Prior to tonight, Swistak's last outing was Nov. 22, 2002 at Bowling Green.
** Junior forward Lee Falardeau and sophomore forward Chad Hontvet also made their first appearances of the season on Saturday.
** Ohio State's two-game sweep marked the first time that Michigan State has been swept at home since Miami took a pair of games (1-0 and 3-2 OT) on Feb. 10-11, 1995.
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