Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
Toronto (EX)
Hockey Downs Toronto 7-2 In Exhibition Game
10/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Oct. 10, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. - In its first exhibition game of the season, the Michigan State hockey team defeated the University of Toronto, 7-2, on Sunday afternoon (Oct. 10) at Munn Ice Arena. MSU was led by senior Ash Goldie (London, Ont.), who had a goal and two assists. Five other Spartans recorded multi-point efforts on the afternoon, and seven different icers contributed with goals.
"The positive of this game was that we were able to play against an opponent for the first time this season," said head coach Rick Comley. "Hopefully the guys are now more tuned in to exactly what they need to improve on when we get back to practice on Tuesday."
The Spartans took the 1-0 lead at the 6:36 mark of the first period with a power-play goal. Freshman Jim McKenzie (Woodbury, Minn.) broke down the left side and fired a quick wrist shot on goalie Ryan Grinnell. The rebound came straight to Jeff Dunne (Grover, Mo.) on the doorstep, who fired the puck into the open net for his first career collegiate goal.
"It feels good to finally get a game under my belt," said Dunne. "I think I came into this program with a lot of confidence. Scoring my first goal today really takes a load off my back. The coaches have really helped me raise my comfort zone to this level."
Just 1:02 later, MSU went up by two on a gritty goal by Goldie. Goldie received a quick pass from Kevin Estrada (Surrey, B.C.), and took several swings before pushing the puck past Grinnell.
Another rebound goal put the Green and White up 3-0 at the 9:39 mark of the first. Goldie let loose a slap shot from the slot. Drew Miller (East Lansing, Mich.) was waiting to slide the rebound home for the power play goal.
MSU improved to three for three on the power play with another tally at 14:25 of the first. Freshman Bryan Lerg (Livonia, Mich.) skated into the right face-off circle and let loose a wrist shot that just found its way between the post and Grinnell's right pad to put the Spartans up 4-0.
"We are all starting to realize how many power plays you are going to get in a game, and as a coach, I am just going to have to figure out how many guys to use so everyone is comfortable with each other in those situations," said Comley. "We have enough good players, but it is still a work in progress."
The Varsity Blues got on the board with a power play goal at 6:13 of the second period. The puck deflected off a Spartan defender in front and through the five-hole of Dominic Vicari (Clinton Township, Mich.).
State answered Toronto's power play goal with one of their own at 11:39 of the second. With a two-man advantage, A.J. Thelen (Savage, Minn.) fired a shot from the point. Grimmell made the first save, but Jim Slater snuck in the backdoor and put away the rebound, giving the Spartans a 5-1 advantage.
David Booth (Washington, Mich.) put Michigan State up 6-1 with just 15 seconds remaining in the second period. Miller muscled the around behind the net and attempted a wrap around. Once again, the first save was made, but Booth was not to be denied on the rebound.
 Senior forward Kevin Estrada posted a goal and an assist vs. Toronto.  | |
MSU took a six-goal lead at the 4:01 mark of the third period. Estrada received a laser guided pass from Dunne, and since Grimmell lost sight of the puck, he easily put it in the open net. Thelen also picked up his second assist on the afternoon.
Toronto cut the lead back to five just 45 seconds later. Adam Weinburg put a rebound past Matt Migliaccio (Wyandotte, Mich.) to make it a 7-2 game. Both Migliaccio and Vicari finished with eight stops each.
"We went out there today and played a real opponent instead of an intra-squad scrimmage and got the win, and that's what is important," said Goldie, who netted a goal and added two assists in the Spartans victory. "We've got a lot of things to work on coming into this weekend. It feels like we are one unit this year, we are really working as a team. If we work on our team defense and establish our forecheck, we can win a lot of games. I feel like everyone is on the same page this year."
The Spartans kick-off the 2004-05 regular season Friday, Oct. 15 at 7:35 p.m., when they take on ECAC-foe St. Lawrence at Munn Ice Arena. On Sunday, Oct. 17, Hockey East-foe New Hampshire invades Munn Ice Arena for a 2:05 p.m. match-up.
