Hockey Splits Weekend Series With Buckeyes

Feb. 19, 2005

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State Spartan icers couldn't complete the weekend sweep of Ohio State, falling 5-1 on Saturday night to the Buckeyes. With the loss, MSU drops to 14-14-4 overall and 9-12-3 in CCHA play, while OSU improves to 23-8-3 overall, 20-5-1 in conference action.

"Obviously, they're a good team; they're really good," said MSU head coach Rick Comley. "And you know, I always think you have to be careful and look at the whole picture. We were missing some key players tonight and some were playing hurt, and they're too good. I thought they started well, and we hung around and hung around, and penalties obviously played a major role. But we got two big points, we're still in position for home ice, and as disgusted as everyone is right now, it's the nature of the beast. I'm more concerned about the next four than I am about this last one right now."

Despite a power-play opportunity less than two minutes into the game, MSU got off to a slow start early in the first period. However, the Buckeyes capitalized on their first good scoring opportunity. At the 6:08 mark, Matt Beaudoin flipped the puck over the right shoulder of Spartan netminder Dominic Vicari (Clinton Township, Mich.), giving OSU a 1-0 lead.

With an Ohio State penalty with less than three minutes left of the clock in the first, the Spartans came up empty handed again, registering zero shots on goal in their second power-play opportunity of the game.

Ohio State converted another scoring opportunity as Dave Barton took a pass from Domenic Maiani and put the Buckeyes up 2-0, just under five minutes into the second stanza. However, just a little over one minute later, MSU senior captain Jim Slater (Lapeer, Mich.) narrowed the OSU lead to 2-1 when he netted MSU's first goal of the evening. Assists were credited to Colton Fretter (Jr., Harrow, Ont.) and Tyler Howells (So., Eden Prairie, Minn.).

At 6:57 in the second, the Buckeyes extended their lead once again to 3-1. After a scramble in front of Vicari, the puck popped out to Jason DeSantis who put the puck past the State netminder.

Ohio State went up 4-1 on the Spartans during a 4-on-3 man advantage for the Buckeyes as Rod Pelley netted the goal for OSU. The Buckeyes carried their 4-1 lead over into the second intermission.

With just under three minutes remaining in the third period, Ohio State extended their lead to 5-1. Domenic Maiani netted a power -play goal for the Buckeyes, with assists going to Nate Guenin and Dan Knapp. OSU finished the game a remarkable 3-for-8 on power play chances.

MSU sophomore goaltender Dominic Vicari (Clinton Township, Mich.) made 31 saves in the losing effort. Meanwhile, OSU netminder Dave Caruso finished with 14 stops.

Up next for the Spartans, is a home-and-home series with Bowling Green next Friday and Saturday in more CCHA conference action. MSU will travel to Bowling Green on Friday, and will return to face the Falcons in East Lansing on Saturday.

Spartan Notebook
* With his second-period goal, SR F Jim Slater posted his 157th career point (61 goals, 96 assists). The Lapper, Mich., native needs just one more point to crack the top 30 on MSU's scoring chart. Sean Berens (1994-98) is currently No. 30 with 158 points, while Lyle Phair (1981-85) is No. 29 with 159 points.

* The Spartans are 0-13-2 when trailing after 40 minutes of play this season.

* MSU is 6-4-3 in games against ranked opponents this season.

* This weekend's split marked the seventh time this season that State has split its weekend series. Six of Michigan State's last eight CCHA series have been splits (Bowling Green, Notre Dame, Miami, Western Michigan, Lake Superior State and Ohio State).

* MSU's record at Munn Arena now stands at 8-5-2 on the season.

* The Spartans are 6-7-2 in games following a win.

* SO F Tyler Howells collected his first point of the season at Munn Arena with an assist. Howells now has 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) this season.

* State is 2-11-4 when scoring two or fewer goals this season.