Hockey Falls In Overtime To Wayne State, 3-2

Nov. 20, 2003

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State hockey team fell to the Wayne State Warriors in heartbreaking fashion, 3-2 in overtime Thursday night before 6,470 fans at Munn Ice Arena.

"This is frustrating," said MSU head coach Rick Comley. "Losing this game is devastating for me as a coach. It tells me something about the make up of our team from top to bottom. I think we work hard, the energy level is good and we play with what we have. We expect more out of our players. This loss isn't a lack of work or trying."

"I thought we were prepared and outplayed them, but their goalie played real well," said MSU captain Jim Slater. "We had a lot of chances, but we didn't bury them. It's very disappointing. We need to win games like these to get into the NCAA Tournament."

The Spartans got out to a quick start in the inaugural match-up between the two teams thanks to sophomore Colton Fretter (Harrow, Ont.). After shaking off several Warriors defenseman, Fretter slipped a backhander through the five hole of goalie Marc Carlson for his first goal of the season at 2:03 of the first period. Tyler Howells (Eden Prairie, Minn.) assisted on the play.

With the goal, Colton Fretter has registered a point in his last three games (1-2-3).

But, Wayne State answered with two quick goals of its own. At 2:59, freshman Jason Baclig snuck behind the Spartan defense and easily put away his team leading fourth goal of the season.

A mere 16 seconds later, at the 3:15 mark of the first, the Warriors took a 2-1 lead as Nate Higgins slammed his own rebound past Michigan State goalie Dominic Vicari (Clinton Township, Mich.).

Michigan State (7-5-1 overall) tied the game up on the power play at 14:44 of the second period. With plenty of traffic in front of the net, Ethan Graham (Xenia, Ohio) fired a slap shot wide of the net. The puck bounced hard off the end boards and right on to the stick of Adam Nightingale (Cheboygan, Mich.) who put home his second goal in as many games. Tommy Goebel (Parma, Ohio) also picked up his eighth assist of the year on the play.

Nightingale's power play goal was only the Spartans' second in the past 21 attempts. Before the drought, Michigan State had gone 8-for-17 with the man advantage.

"We are frustrated," said Adam Nightingale. "We didn't bury our chances tonight. It was an empty feeling after the game tonight.

"The biggest thing for us is that we can't sit back and pout. We need to get ready to play tomorrow."

After a scoreless third period, Wayne State (3-4-2 overall) picked up the 3-2 win 4:13 into overtime. In a mad scramble in front of the net, John Grubb poked the puck by Vicari for the game- winning goal.

It's a bad loss, but we need to accept it and be ready to play tomorrow," remarked Slater. "We need to keep playing our game."

Carlson finished with 39 saves en route to No. 1 star of the game honors, while Vicari posted 19 saves.

"Their goalie played outstanding," Comley commented. "We had plenty of chances to win the game. The tendency against teams like this is to sit back and wait for a break, and it doesn't work like that."

The Spartans and Warriors clash again tomorrow night (Friday, Nov. 21), at 7:35 p.m.