Michigan State University
Minnesota (College Hockey Showcase)
Hockey Falls To Defending National Champion Minnesota, 5-1
11/28/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 28, 2003
East Lansing, Mich. - The Michigan State Spartan hockey team fell to two-time defending national champion Minnesota Golden Gophers Friday night (Nov. 28) 5-1 in their first game of the 11th annual College Hockey Showcase. The teams combined for 59 penalty minutes in a scrappy, physical contest.
After controlling play for much of the first period, Minnesota capitalized on its first power-play attempt of the game to take a 1-0 lead with 13:17 elapsed. Captain Grant Potulny slid a wrist shot through Dominic Vicari's five-hole for his sixth goal of the season.
The Golden Gophers went up 2-0 with their second power-play goal of the night at 4:49 of the second period as Tyler Hirsch slammed a rebound past Vicari for the two-goal lead.
"They (Minnesota) were a better team tonight," said MSU head coach Rick Comley. "Our youth at some positions showed. If you put Minnesota on the power play as much as we did, they are going to score goals. The Gophers are the best team we have faced this year; they move the puck so darn well."
The Spartans cut the lead in half (2-1) at the 7:15 mark of the second period. After out muscling two defenders behind the net, Tommy Goebel (Parma, Ohio) slid a backhand pass to a streaking Mike Lalonde (Chetwynd, B.C.) who one-timed it over the right shoulder of Minnesota goalie Kellen Briggs to make it 2-1. Jim Slater (Lapeer, Mich.) also picked up an assist on the goal. The goal was Lalonde's 10th of the season, tying Jim Slater for the team lead. Lalonde has four goals and five points in his past two contests.
Minnesota went back up by two goals with their third power-play tally of the game at 14:11 of the second period. With 2:06 expired in a major penalty being served by Corey Potter (Mason, Mich.) for checking from behind, Thomas Vanek connected with Matt Koalska who was sitting on the back-door. Koalska flipped the puck into an open net to go up 3-1.
 Freshman netminder Dominic Vicari stopped a career-high 47 shots vs. Minnesota.  | |
The Gophers put the game out of reach, taking a 4-1 lead at the 8:12 mark of the third period. Tomas Vanek, standing right in front of the net, put away a cross-ice feed from Garrett Smaagaard. The goal was Vanek's third point of the game.
Minnesota took control of the game at 17:09 of the third period with their fifth goal of the night. Troy Riddle broke free down the right side of the ice and sent a wrist shot just over Vicari's glove.
"It was a funny game," said Comley. "Mike Lalonde and Tommy Goebel both missed empty nets that would have tied the game, things could have gone differently early. We lost Potter and we had to play the other defensemen so much, they were worn out by all the penalty killing."
Minnesota finished the night 3-7 on the power play and out-shot the Spartans 52-24. Vicari finished with a career-best 47 stops. Despite several scoring opportunities, Michigan State was held scoreless in all five attempts with the man advantage.
The Spartans return to action again tomorrow night (Nov. 29) in the second game of the College Hockey Showcase when they host the Wisconsin Badgers at 7:05 EST at Munn Ice Arena.
