Hockey Begins 2003-04 Season With Green And White Game

Oct. 2, 2003

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Spartan fans had their first glimpse of the 2003-04 Spartan hockey team on Thursday, Oct. 2, as MSU played its annual Green and White Game at Munn Ice Arena. The White squad picked up a 9-8 win over the Green team in a modified game format, as the teams had a 24-minute first period, a 20-minute second period with 4-on-4 and eight power plays and a shootout to end the game.

"I really like intrasquad games because they put you in a game situation and they (the players) get tired," said MSU second-year head coach Rick Comley. "In a practice situation, they never get real tired, they never get 'game tired' and no matter what you can't create that in practice. We have so many freshmen; they need to see a game situation and they saw that tonight. On Monday, they'll be in better game shape."

The Green team jumped out to a 2-0 lead on goals by sophomore forward David Booth (Washington, Mich.) and junior forward Steve Swistak (West Bloomfield, Mich.). Sophomore forward Colton Fretter (Harrow, Ont.) pulled the White within one (2-1) with a goal, before freshman Tyler Howells (Eden Prairie, Minn.) gave the Green squad a 3-1 lead after the first period.

"The biggest thing about tonight's game is finally getting guys out there in a faster tempo," said Markusen. "You realize what you need to work on. You expect mistakes and the passes might not be there, but you hope to correct them and work on them for the year."

During the second period, sophomore Lee Falardeau (Midland, Mich.) was able to capitalize on the power-play attempt registering a goal for Team White.

The teams ended the game with a shootout as Green outscored White, 7-5 to claim the win. Scoring shootout goals for Green were: Corey Potter (Mason, Mich.), Chris Snavely (Lancaster, Pa.), Ethan Graham (Xenia, Ohio), Joe Markusen (Park River, N.D.) and David Berger (Northbrook, Ill.).

The White team received shootout goals by: Falardeau, Drew Miller (East Lansing, Mich.), Brock Radunske (New Hamburg, Ont.), Brandon Warner (Huntertown, Ind.), Tim Mayer (Okemos, Mich.), Christian Kitti (Calumet, Mich.) and Fretter.

All three goaltenders split time in net. Sophomore Matt Migliaccio (Wyandotte, Mich.) stopped 17 shots for Team White, while freshman Dominic Vicari (Clinton Township, Mich.) posted 19 saves for the Green squad. Junior Rod Tocco (St. Clair Shores, Mich.) made a combined two saves playing for both teams.

"I am a lot more comfortable this year than I was last year," said Migliaccio. "We are having fun this year. We are still working hard, but having fun with it.You always expect to have good goalies because its Michigan State."

"The speed of the game is definitely increased," said Vicari. "It's just one of those things where you have to go back to basics and kind of change little things and adapt to the game. Every time you make a step to another level of hockey, you expect that."

Michigan State returns to the ice on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 2 p.m., when the Spartans face Windsor at Munn Ice Arena. Tickets are still available for the Windsor game. Contact the MSU Ticket Office at 517.355.1610 or 1-800-GOSTATE to purchase tickets.

"Everyone is really excited for Sunday," commented Markusen. "I think Sunday will be a little more serious atmosphere. It will be good to be together as a team and see how we all do together."