Hockey Blanks Cornell, 2-0

Nov. 14, 2004

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State hockey team blanked No. 8 Cornell, 2-0, Sunday afternoon (Nov. 14), taking three of four available points on the weekend. The Spartans were led by an outstanding goaltending performance by Dominic Vicari (Clinton Township, Mich). Vicari made 32 saves en route to his eighth shutout of his career and first blanking of the season. Vicari has now given up just two goals in his last three outings.

State also received goals from freshmen Bryan Lerg (Livonia, Mich.) and Chris Mueller (West Seneca, N.Y.) in the victory.

"It was a very hard game; our kids showed a lot of character and played their hearts out the whole weekend," remarked MSU head coach Rick Comley.

In the first period, both teams picked up where they left off Friday night, maintaining a quick, tight checking pace. Early in the period, Cornell netminder David McKee robbed several MSU scoring chances, but the Spartans finally solved the hottest goaltender in college hockey at the 15:43 mark of the first. Off an initial shot by A.J. Thelen (Savage, Minn.), Lerg picked up the rebound and slid a quick shot through McKee's five-hole for the 1-0 lead. Adam Nightingale (Cheboygan, Mich.) also picked up his second assist of the season on the goal.

The assist for Thelen now gives him points in back-to-back games for the first time this season. His six assists ties him with Jim Slater (Lapeer, Mich.) for the team lead in that department.

For Lerg, it is his first goal since the opening weekend of the season against New Hampshire, a span of eight games.

It is also the third straight game that State has held its opponent scoreless in the first period.

Although both teams were held scoreless in the second period, the Big Red and Spartans kept the intensity up. Both teams had several scoring opportunities that were denied by the sophomore netminders, Vicari and McKee.

Freshman Chris Mueller tallied his first collegiate goal vs. Cornell.

At 5:13 of the third, a stellar display of cycling the puck low got the Green and White their second goal of the night. With Spartans crashing the net, Ethan Graham (Xenia, Ohio) snuck a pass to Jim McKenzie (Woodbury, Minn.) who was tied up in the slot. McKenzie was able to muscle the puck Mueller. Mueller then made a move that froze McKee, and backhanded home the goal into the empty net.

"It felt really good for two younger guys to get some goals," said Mueller. "It is good for the team, they can actually believe in us and they don't have to rely on one or two lines. Everyone can contribute."

The goal was Mueller's first of his collegiate career. He now has all six of his points on the year in the last six games.

The assist was Graham's first of the season and 10th of his career.

"I hope (the team's starting to get on a roll)," said Comley. "I don't think we've been far away all year, but we've still got some guys that are snake-bit out there offensively and eventually they're going to break out. There were a lot of good efforts out there tonight; a big goal by Mueller in the third period. It's a very positive weekend to build on"

The Spartans return to action Thursday, Nov. 18, at 8:05 ET when they take on intrastate-rival Michigan for valuable Pontiac Challenge Cup points. The game will air nationally on CSTV.

Spartan Notebook
* After being held without a point in Friday night's contest, FR F Chris Mueller scored his first goal of the season and career at 5:13 of the third period.

* FR F Bryan Lerg collected his first goal in eight games and his first game winner when he scored at 15:44 of the first period.

* The Spartans lead the overall series against Cornell, 3-1-1.

* The Spartans handed the Big Red their first loss of the season on Sunday. Cornell had entered the game as the nation's only unbeaten team.

* The Spartans stopped the Big Red on the power play on the weekend. Cornell, who led the nation on the power play coming into this weekend's series, was held 0-for-7 with the man advantage.

Sophomore Dominic Vicari recorded his eighth career shutout against Cornell.

* The Spartans penalty killers have not allowed an opponent to score on the power play in three games, killing off 13 straight penalties.

* SO G Dominic Vicari posted his first shutout of the season and the eighth of his career as he stopped 32 shots. With the shutout, Vicari moved into third place on MSU's career blankings list, surpassing Bob Essensa (1983-87) who had seven. Ryan Miller (1999-2002) is State's career leader with 26.

* Vicari is unbeaten in his last four games between the pipes for the Spartans with a record of 3-0-1. In that span, he has posted a 0.98 GAA and a .963 saves percentage.

* With the victory on Sunday, the Spartans are 3-1-1 in their last five games.

* The Spartans are a perfect 5-0 when leading after two periods. They are also a perfect 2-0 on Sundays.

* The Spartans were outshot for only the second time this season, 32-22.

* JR F David Booth had his three-game point streak snapped while being held without a point in Sunday's game.

* SR F Ash Goldie also saw his three-game point streak halted when he was held without a point Sunday.

* The three stars of the night were: No. 1 - Dominic Vicari (shutout - 32 saves) No. 2 - Chris Mueller (first collegiate goal) No. 3 - Bryan Lerg (game-winning goal)