Hockey Faces Instate-Rival Michigan In Home-And-Home Series
12/2/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Dec. 2, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
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THIS WEEK'S ACTION
Michigan State (8-7-1, 6-3-1 CCHA)vs. No. 9/10 Michigan (9-5-0, 5-3-0 CCHA)
Friday, Dec. 5, 7:35 p.m.Yost Ice Arena (6,637) * Ann Arbor, Mich.
Saturday, Dec. 6, 7:05 p.m.Munn Ice Arena (6,470) * East Lansing, Mich.
MSU-UM Series InformationMichigan leads 125-110-102002-03 series: Series tied at 2-2-0Last 10 games: Michigan State leads 5-3-2In East Lansing: MSU leads 54-43-5In Ann Arbor: UM leads 63-43-2Neutral: UM leads 19-14-2First Meeting: Jan. 11, 1922 - UM 5, MSU 1Last Meeting: March 1, 2003 - UM 5, MSU 4
Radio: WJIM 1240-AM (Scott Moore, Damon Whitten)Television: Friday-Fox Sports Net Detroit(Matt Shepard, Fred Pletsch, Shireen Saski)Saturday-Comcast Cable (Eric Peasley, Joe Campbell)
THIS WEEK'S ACTION
Michigan State (8-7-1 overall, 6-3-1 CCHA) faces instate-rival Michigan (9-5-0 overall, 5-3-0 CCHA) in a two-game set this weekend. On Friday, Dec. 5, the teams will meet in Ann Arbor for a 7:35 p.m. face-off. On Saturday, Dec. 6, the series moves to East Lansing for a 7:05 p.m. drop of the puck. Friday's game is part of the CCHA Game of the Week package on Fox Sports Net Detroit.
LAST WEEKEND RECAP
Friday, Nov. 28 - Minnesota 5, Michigan State 1
Minnesota skated to a 5-1 win over Michigan State in the first game of the College Hockey Showcase. The Gophers jumped out to a 2-0 lead, before Mike Lalonde tallied his 10th goal of the season to cut the lead to 2-1. However, the Gophers would score three more goals (one in the second and two in the third) for the win. The teams combined for 59 penalty minutes as Minnesota was 3-for-7 on the power play and MSU was 0-for-5. Dominic Vicari stopped a career-high 47 shots for MSU.
Saturday, Nov. 28 - Wisconsin 2, Michigan State 1 (OT)
Wisconsin's Jeff Liken's power-play marker at 1:07 of overtime gave the Badgers a 2-1 win in game two of the College Hockey Showcase. UW jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with a goal at the 13:59 mark of the opening stanza, before Mike Lalonde evened the game at one with his team-best 11th goal of the season at the 13:48 mark of the third period. MSU netminder Matt Migliaccio stopped 33 shots, while UW goalie Brian Elliott finished with 29 saves.
FOR STARTERS
* Junior forward Jim Slater needs just one more point to reach the century milestone as he has 39-60-99 totals in 89 career contests entering Friday's game at Michigan.
* The Spartan power play has scored just three goals in its last 34 opportunities (.089) dating to the Nov. 1 game at Ferris State.
* Junior forward Mike Lalonde has registered five goals in his last three games. Overall, he has scored a team-best 11 goals on the season after scoring a marker in each game of the College Hockey Showcase.
* In MSU's last trip to Ann Arbor on Feb. 28, 2003, the Spartans posted a 4-0 win behind Matt Migliaccio's 37 saves. It marked MSU's first win at Yost Arena since Nov. 5, 2000, when State posted a 1-0 win behind Ryan Miller's 31 stops.
* Freshman netminder Dominic Vicari stopped a career-high 47 shots in a 5-1 loss to Minnesota.
* State was picked to finish second in the CCHA Media Poll and third in the CCHA Coaches Poll, which was released at the annual CCHA Media Day at Joe Louis Arena (Sept. 16).
MICHIGAN STATE QUICK HITS
* MSU, under the direction of second-year head coach Rick Comley, carries an 8-7-1 overall and a 6-3-1 CCHA slate into this weekend's action.
* Junior forward Jim Slater paces MSU and leads the CCHA overall scoring race with 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists). Junior forward Mike Lalonde (11-9--20) is second with 20 points, while freshman forward Tommy Goebel (9-10--19) is third with 19 points. Freshman defenseman A.J. Thelen (3-10--13) and junior forward Brock Radunske (6-5--11) round out the top-five Spartan scorers.
* In goal, junior Matt Migliaccio and freshman Dominic Vicari have split time in net. Vicari is 4-5 with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .900 saves percentage. Meanwhile, Migliaccio has posted a 4-2-1 mark, along with a 2.82 GAA and a .910 saves percentage.
* MSU ranks fourth in the CCHA and 17th in the nation in goals-per-game at 3.38.
* The Spartan power play is converting at a 20.0 percent rate (15-of-75), while State has killed off 47-of-66 (.712) of opponent power-play chances.
MICHIGAN QUICK HITS
* Michigan brings a 9-5-0 overall and a 5-3-0 CCHA slate into this weekend. The Wolverines have dropped three straight games (5-2 at Ohio State, 3-1 vs. Wisconsin and 4-2 vs. Minnesota) for the first time since the 1999-2000 season.
* UM head coach Red Berenson is in his 20th season behind the bench where he has compiled a 515-246-53 (.665) mark. He ranks 12th on the NCAA ice hockey coaches all-time wins list with 515.
* Freshman T.J. Hensick leads UM in scoring with 5-10--15 totals, while sophomore forward Jeff Tambellini is second with 9-3--12 totals. Sophomore Andrew Ebbett is third with 4-7--11 totals.
* In goal, sophomore Al Montoya is 9-5 with a 2.78 GAA and a .900 saves percentage.
* Junior forward Charlie Henderson is a Lansing, Mich., native and has seen action in eight games.
* The Wolverines rank third in the CCHA and 16th in the nation at 3.43 goals-per-game.
* Michigan's power play is connecting at a 21.3 percent clip (19-of-89) to rank 10th in the country, while its penalty kill is at 83.9 percent (52-of-62).
SERIES INFORMATION
According to Michigan State records, Michigan holds a 125-110-10 edge in the all-time series which began with a 5-1 Wolverine victory on Jan. 11, 1922.
Over the course of the last 20 games, MSU holds a 10-6-4 edge in the series with the Wolverines. Nineteen of those 20 meetings have been decided by two goals or less, including four ties.
2002-03 SERIES RECAP
The series was tied at two wins apiece in 2002-03. MSU picked up a 5-3 win at Munn (Feb. 15) and a 4-0 blanking at Michigan (Feb. 28). MSU's win at Yost Arena marked MSU's first victory there since Nov. 5, 2000. Meanwhile, Michigan skated to a 3-1 win at Yost (Feb. 14) and a 5-4 win at Joe Louis Arena (March 1).
FAMILY AFFAIRS
* Munn Ice Arena manager Tom Campbell is the uncle of UM junior forward and East Lansing native Charlie Henderson.
* In addition, junior Steve Swistak is a member of the MSU hockey team, while his cousin J.J. Swistak was a four-year letterwinner (2000-03) for Michigan.
* A pair of brothers will be in opposite colors this weekend as Nenad Gajic is a sophomore on the Spartan team and Milan Gajic is a junior forward on the Wolverines. The duo were teammates on the Burnaby Lakers lacrosse team, which captured the 2002 Minto Cup.
IT'S A TALE OF TWO TEAMS
It has been a tale of two teams this season for Michigan State. For example:
* State has lit the lamp for 41 goals in its eight victories (5.1 gpg) while giving up only 15 markers (1.9 gpg). MSU has allowed three goals or fewer in six of the eight wins.
* In MSU's seven losses, the Spartans have scored just 10 goals (1.4 gpg) while giving up 27 markers (3.9 gpg). MSU has registered two goals or fewer in six of the seven losses, including one shutout.
* In MSU's eight wins, the Spartans are averaging 33.2 shots per game, while allowing just 26.9 shots. On the other hand, MSU has averaged just 27.9 shots per game in its seven losses, while allowing 32.3 shots per game.
* MSU is connecting at a 26.8 percent clip (11-of-41) on the power play when it wins and 10.0 percent (3-of-30) when it loses. However, the big difference is on the penalty kill. The Spartans are killing off 78.8 percent (26-of-33) of opponent power plays when they win, but just 65.5 percent (19-of-29) of the attempts when they lose.
LIGHTING IT UP
Junior forward Mike Lalonde has scored five goals in his last three games (1.7 gpg), including MSU's lone goal in back-to-back games vs. Minnesota and Wisconsin. Overall, he has scored a team-best 11 goals on the season and is tied for the CCHA lead in goals. He is just two goals shy of his career-best 13, set in 2002-03.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
Freshman netminder Dominic Vicari stopped a career-high 47 shots, including 17 in the first period and 21 in the middle stanza vs. Minnesota (Nov. 28). The Gophers had 52 shots on goal, marking the first time that a Spartan opponent has had 50 or more shots on net since Nov. 29, 2002 (51 by Minnesota in a 5-5 OT tie).
For the season, Vicari is 4-5 with a 2.76 GAA and a .900 saves percentage. He ranks seventh in the CCHA with his 2.76 GAA.
SLATER ONE AWAY FROM CENTURY MILESTONE
Junior forward Jim Slater enters Friday's game needing just one point to reach the century milestone as he has 39-60-99 totals in 89 career contests. In doing so, he will become just the 61st Spartan to reach the 100-point milestone in his career.
FIRST LINE OF OFFENSE
MSU's top line of Jim Slater (10-14--24), Mike Lalonde (11-9--20) and Tommy Goebel (9-10--19) have been the team's primary scoring threat this season. Take note:
* The trio have accounted for 30 of the team's 54 goals this season, or 56.6 percent of the goal production.
* In the last three games, they have scored seven of MSU's eight goals, or 87.5 percent of the team's goal production. Lalonde scored both of MSU's goals in the College Hockey Showcase last weekend.
* This line has accounted for 43 percent (63-of-148 total points) of the squad's offensive production.
* In addition, they rank one through three in scoring as Slater paces the squad, CCHA and nation with 24 points.
POWER PLAY WOES
The Spartan power play has just three goals in its last 34 opportunities (.089), dating to the Nov. 1 game at Ferris State. MSU was 0-for-9 on the power play in the College Hockey Showcase (0-for-5 vs. Minnesota and 0-for-4 vs. Wisconsin) and has not scored a power-play marker in its last 12 attempts, dating to the Nov. 21 game vs. Wayne State.
Despite the team's struggles, MSU still ranks tied for fourth in the CCHA in power play percent at 20.0 (15-of-75). MSU's 15 power-play markers rank tied for third, while the team's 75 chances are tied for fifth.
INJURIES BEGINNING TO TAKE TOLL
Heading into Friday's game at Michigan, seven Spartans have missed a combined total of 28 games to injury this season. To further illustrate, MSU has lost the services of sophomore forward David Booth (knee - eight games), junior forward Lee Falardeau (knee - seven games), freshman defenseman Chris Snavely (shoulder - six games), junior forward Adam Nightingale (concussion - three games), senior defenseman Joe Markusen (sore ribs - one game/knee - one game - two games total), junior forward Steve Swistak (hip - one game) and freshman defenseman A.J. Thelen (knee - one game).
INSIDE SLATER'S NUMBERS
Junior forward Jim Slater paces MSU in scoring with 24 points on 10 goals and 14 assists. He paces the CCHA overall scoring race and nation in total points (24), while he ranks tied for seventh in the nation in points-per-game (1.50).
THREE SPARTANS RANKED IN PRELIMINARY RANKINGS FOR 2004 NHL DRAFT
The National Hockey League's Central Scouting Service has released its Preliminary Rankings for the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and three Spartans are ranked among the U.S. College players. Freshman defenseman A.J. Thelen is listed fourth and sophomore forward David Booth is fifth among 35 total skaters. Meanwhile, freshman netminder Dominic Vicari is ranked number five among goaltenders. Thelen must "opt-in" to be eligible for the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
STATE OF MICHIGAN CONNECTION
Eleven members of the Spartan hockey team hail from the State of Michigan, including David Booth (Washington), Lee Falardeau (Midland), Matt Migliaccio (Wyandotte), Drew Miller (East Lansing), Adam and Jared Nightingale (Cheboygan), Corey Potter (Mason), Jim Slater (Lapeer), Steve Swistak (West Bloomfield), Rod Tocco (St. Clair Shores) and Dominic Vicari (Clinton Township).
SPARTAN NOTEBOOK
* Freshman forward Tommy Goebel is the national leader for points by a rookie with 19 (nine goals, 10 assists). Overall, he ranks fourth in the country in points-per-game among rookies (1.19).
* MSU is 5-6-1 at Munn Ice Arena this season.
* MSU is 1-3 in games decided by one goal this season, including a pair of overtime losses (3-2 to Wayne State and 2-1 to Wisconsin).
* The Spartans have outshot their opponent in nine of their 16 contests.
* Junior forward Mike Lalonde is tied for fourth in the nation with 11 goals.
* State is 6-0 when scoring four or more goals.
* Junior forward Ash Goldie is tied for second in the nation with three game-winning goals.
* Heading into Saturday's game with Michigan, State has 313 consecutive regular-season sellouts at Munn.
CHECK OUT THIS NUMBER
Michigan State's top three plus/minus leaders (Jim Slater +17; Mike Lalonde +16; Tommy Goebel +9) are a combined +42, while the rest of the Spartan squad is a combined +19.
MSU HOCKEY TICKET UPDATE
Tickets for the Dec. 17 exhibition contests vs. the U.S. National Team are $8 apiece. Tickets are available through the Athletics Ticket Office located in Jenison Field House, by phone at (517) 355-1610 or online at www.msuspartans.com.
Single-game bench seats also are available for the remaining games. Tickets are $20 for the public and $8 for MSU students (one per ID) and are available through the Athletics Ticket Office located in Jenison Field House, by phone at (517) 355-1610 or online at www.msuspartans.com.
MSU HEAD COACH Rick Comley
Entering his second season behind the Michigan State bench is Rick Comley. Comley, who was named head coach on March 25, 2002, became just the fifth head coach in MSU hockey history.
He carries a 628-496-74 (.555) career record in 30 seasons and ranks seventh all-time on the NCAA hockey coaches wins list. In addition, his 628 career victories ranks third among active NCAA coaches, behind Boston University's Jack Parker (684 wins) and Boston College's Jerry York (677 wins).
In his first season at MSU, he led the Spartans to a 23-14-2 (.615) overall mark. He became one of just seven coaches to reach the 600-win plateau, a feat he accomplished on Oct. 24, 2002, when the Spartans beat Lake Superior State, 7-0. In addition, he coached a pair of All-Americans in senior defensemen John-Michael Liles and Brad Fast. Liles led the team in scoring en route to earning the CCHA Best Offensive Defenseman award, while Fast finished second in scoring and was the recipient of the CCHA's Best Defensive Defenseman award.
Comley brings 30 years of head coaching experience and a proven record of success at the conference and national levels. During his career, he's coached eight Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalists, including 2003 finalist John-Michael Liles; 12 All-Americans; four league players of the year; 23 first-team all-league selections, including 2003 honorees Liles, Brad Fast and Jim Slater; and 80 academic all-league selections.
OFFENSIVE WOES
In its last two games, MSU has scored just two goals (1.0 gpg), while allowing seven goals (3.5 gpg).
Throw out MSU's seven goals vs. Wayne State (Oct. 21), MSU has averaged just 1.8 goals in its last five contests (not including WSU). In that same span, opponents are averaging 3.0 goals-per-game.
SITTING NEAR THE TOP OF THE DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Freshman defenseman A.J. Thelen currently ranks seventh in the country in points-per-game among defenseman at 0.87. UMass' Thomas Pock leads all blueliners with a 1.36 points-per-game average.
The Savage, Minn., native has appeared in 15 games, posting 3-10--13 totals.
THE NATIONAL POLLS
MSU is not ranked in the Dec. 1 edition of the USA Today/American Hockey Magazine and USCHO.com polls.
North Dakota earned the top spot in both polls for the fourth straight week. Rounding out the top five in both polls is Boston College, Maine, Colorado College and New Hampshire.
This week's opponent Michigan is ranked No. 9 in the USA Today/American Hockey Magazine poll and No. 10 in the USCHO.com poll. Ohio State (No. 7/6) and Notre Dame (No. 14/14) are the other CCHA schools ranked.
POWER PLAY KEY TO SUCCESS
Michigan State's power play ranks tied for fourth in the CCHA and tied for 15th in the nation at 20.0 percent (15-of-75).
One of the keys to Michigan State's success over the past few seasons has been the Spartans' power play. MSU led the CCHA and ranked third in the nation with the man advantage at 27.5 percent (50-of-182) in 2002-03. In conference games only, State paced the league with the man advantage at 29.7 percent (38-of-128). MSU registered at least one power play marker in 30 of the team's 39 games last year.
To further illustrate MSU's success, take note: MSU led the CCHA and finished ninth in the nation on the power play in 2001-02 at 22.5 percent (45-of-200). The Spartans also led the CCHA and ranked seventh in the nation at 22.7 percent (52-of-229) in 2000-01, while in 1999-2000, State once again led the CCHA and ranked sixth in the nation at 22.9 percent (56-of-245).
ON THE SCOREBOARD
Michigan State ranks 17th in the nation and fourth in the CCHA with a 3.38 goals-per-game average. MSU scored three or more goals in 10 of the team's 16 contests, including a season-high eight vs. Ferris State (Oct. 31).
In 2002-03, Michigan State finished fifth in the nation and second in the CCHA with a 3.95 goals-per-game average. It was MSU's best offensive showing since the Spartans averaged 4.58 goals per game in 1994-95 - a span of eight seasons.
THE Rick Comley RADIO SHOW
The Rick Comley Radio Show will run throughout the season, on Wednesday's, at 6 p.m., on WVFN-AM 730. The hour-long show originates from Reno's East Sports Bar in East Lansing. Jerry Marshall serves as the host of the program.
UP NEXT
Michigan State is off until Wednesday, Dec. 17 when the Spartans meet the U.S. National Under-18 Team in an exhibition contest. The game begins at 7:05 p.m. at Munn Ice Arena.
