Michigan State University
Minnesota Duluth
Hockey Falls To Minnesota-Duluth In Midwest Regional Semifinals
3/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
March 27, 2004
Final Stats?|? Quotes?|? Notes
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- Junior Lessard wasn't even sure if he'd be able to dress for Minnesota-Duluth's Midwest Regional semifinal game against Michigan State. But he was on the ice and the Bulldogs couldn't have been happier.
Lessard, the nation's leading scorer in points with 61 and goals with 30, scored two goals and goaltender Isaac Reichmuth registered 23 saves to power Minnesota-Duluth over Michigan State 5-0 Saturday at VanAndel Arena.
Lessard had both of his goals in a four-goal second period for the Bulldogs. Because of an injured right knee, his playing status wasn't certain until earlier in the day.
"I was happy to be able to play," Lessard said. "I was trying to be confident all week and know I could play. I just felt good this morning during the pregame skate. All during the game, I felt pretty good, too."
Minnesota-Duluth (27-12-4) will play Western Collegiate Hockey Association rival Minnesota at 1 p.m. EST Sunday in the regional title game. The Gophers defeated Notre Dame 5-2 in Saturday's other semifinal. Sunday's winner advances to the NCAA Frozen Four April 8-10 at Boston.
The Bulldogs scored once in the first period and three times in the first 8:13 of the second period for a 4-0 lead. Michigan State replaced starting goaltender Dominic Vicari with backup Matt Migliaccio after Minnesota-Duluth's fourth goal.
"It was a big win for us," said Minnesota-Duluth coach Scott Sandelin. "We got better as the game went on. The first period we had some jitters. But we later capitalized on our chances and we got solid goaltending."
Evan Schwabe scored the Bulldogs' first-period goal. Jesse Unklesbay, Brett Hammond and Lessard scored goals in the first half of the second period. Lessard had the Bulldogs' fifth goal and his second of the game late in the period on the power play.
Vicari had 11 saves and Migliaccio 12 for Michigan State (23-17-2), which beat Duluth 5-4 at East Lansing in the season's opening weekend. The Spartans were making their 23rd national tournament appearance.
"They were better than us tonight," Michigan State coach Rick Comley said. "I don't think they're necessarily too much better than we are. But it's not acceptable losing 5-0 in a national tournament, no excuse for it. We have to learn from that."
Michigan State has not scored in its past three NCAA tournament games, including a 2-0 loss to North Dakota in a 2001 NCAA Frozen Four semifinal game. "We had some good opportunities," Spartan center Jim Slater said. "They buried their chances and we didn't bury ours."
Minnesota-Duluth outshot the Spartans 15-3 in the second period and 28-23 for the game.
"We had a good day of practice Friday and were ready to play," Comley said. "Our inability to be effective offensively was evident all year."
Minnesota-Duluth is making its first NCAA tournament appearance in 11 years and fifth overall. On Sunday, the Bulldogs take on a Minnesota team that beat them 7-4 in the WCHA semifinals last week. Minnesota-Duluth was 4-0 during the regular season against the Gophers.
"They know us and we know them. There will be no surprises," Reichmuth said. "It's going to be a battle."
Sandelin, the Bulldogs' coach, agreed: "Minnesota is playing very well right now. Throughout the year, we've had success against them. Now it comes down to one game."
