Michigan State University Athletics
Hockey Faces Nebraska-Omaha In CCHA Super Six Quarterfinals
3/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
March 15, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
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THIS WEEK'S ACTION
Michigan State (19-15-4 overall, 12-13-3 CCHA) meets Nebraska-Omaha (19-15-4 overall, 13-11-4 CCHA) in the CCHA Super Six Quarterfinals on Thursday, March 18, at 8:05 p.m. The other quarterfinal contest features Northern Michigan against Alaska Fairbanks at 4:35 p.m. The winners of the quarterfinal match-ups will move on to the semifinals on Friday, March 20.
The complete CCHA Tournament bracket follows:
Thursday, March 17
CCHA Super Six Quarterfinals
No. 3 seed Northern Michigan vs. No. 6 seed Alaska Fairbanks, 4:35 p.m.
No. 4 seed Nebraska-Omaha vs. No. 5 seed Michigan State, 8:05 p.m.
Friday, March 18
CCHA Super Six Semifinals -- Fox Sports Detroit
No. 1 seed Michigan vs. lowest-surviving seed, 4:35 p.m.
No. 2 seed Ohio State vs. second-lowest seed, 8:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 19
CCHA Super Six Third-Place Game, 4:05 p.m.
CCHA Super Six Championship, 7:35 p.m. -- Fox Sports Detroit
CCHA TICKET UPDATE
Reserved seating is available for the CCHA Super Six Championships. Tickets range in price from $10 to $28 for the general public and can be purchased through the MSU ticket office at 517.355.1610 or 1.800.GO.STATE. Fans may purchase tickets through the Joe Louis Arena Box Office at 313.396.7575 or online at www.collegehockeyatthejoe.com. In addition, tickets are available through Ticketmaster locations and can be charged by phone, at 248.645.6666.
LAST TIME OUT
Friday, March 11 -- at Michigan State 2, Miami 1 (CCHA First Round)
Behind a pair of power-play goals by Chad Hontvet, MSU skated to a 2-1 win over Miami in game one of its CCHA First-Round Playoff series. Miami jumped out to a 1-0 lead after one on a power-play goal by Nathan Davis at the 8:52 mark. However, Hontvet's first career goal on the power play at 7:35 of the second would tie the game at one, before his second tally, also on the power play, at 13:24 gave MSU a 2-1 lead. Dominic Vicari finished with 25 stops, including 10 in the final stanza, while Brandon Crawford-West recorded 32 saves, including nine in the third period. State was 2-for-8 with the man advantage, while Miami was 1-for-5.
Saturday, March 12 -- at Michigan State 5, Miami 4 (OT) (CCHA First Round)
Colton Fretter tallied a pair of goals, including the game-tying goal at the 14:54 mark of the third and the overtime winner at 7:45, to give State a 5-4 come-from-behind dramatic victory over Miami in game two of the first round of the CCHA Playoffs. The RedHawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Bryan Lerg cut the deficit to one at 16:46 of the second period. Marty Guerin gave Miami a two-goal cushion (3-1) before Jim Slater scored with 14 seconds left in the second period to pull MSU within one (3-2). A Ryan Jones marker gave the RedHawks a two-goal lead (4-2) with 7:16 remaining. However, State would not be denied as Tommy Goebel scored at 13:25 to make it 4-3 before Fretter tallied at 14:54 to knot the score at four. Fretter's second goal came at the 7:45 mark of overtime, a power-play marker. Dominic Vicari finished with 34 stops, including five in the extra session, while Brandon Crawford-West turned aside 31 shots.
NOW THAT'S SPECIAL
In its last eight games, State has been a combined 15-for-57 (.263) on the power play, after being held scoreless in its previous four outings (Feb. 4-11). In MSU's two-game set with Miami, State was 2-for-8 with the man advantage Friday and finished 1-for-7 Saturday. In the previous six games, the Spartans finished the Ohio State series (Feb. 18-19) 4-for-14 (.286) with the man advantage; 5-for-14 (.357) in the Bowling Green series (Feb. 25-26) and 4-of-14 (.286) in the Notre Dame series (March 4-5). The Feb. 26 BGSU game saw the Spartans tally a season-best five power-play goals.
FOR STARTERS
• The Spartans will be looking for their first CCHA Playoff Championship since 2001 this weekend. As a whole, MSU has captured 10 CCHA Playoff Championships (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1998, 2000 and 2001).
• JR F Colton Fretter is tied for second in the CCHA and tied for fourth in the nation with five game-winning tallies.
• MSU's last four victories have been decided by one goal as State has posted 3-2 and 2-1 wins over Notre Dame (March 4-5) and 2-1 and 5-4 (OT) victories over Miami (March 11-12).
• JR F Chad Hontvet scored the first two goals of his career in State's 2-1 win over Miami.
• Sixteen of SO F Drew Miller's 17 goals came in CCHA play this season.
• State is 13-5-2 when scoring the first goal of the game, but just 6-10-2 when the opponent scores first.
• FR F Jim McKenzie has tallied nine goals in the last 11 games after tallying just one in his first 20 games.
• The Spartans are 4-12-4 when scoring two or fewer goals in a game. In addition, State is 5-12 when allowing three or more goals in a game.
• SO G Dominic Vicari leads the CCHA and ranks tied for seventh in the nation with four shutouts. In addition, he is 12th in the nation in saves percentage (.922) and 18th in GAA (2.30).
• State is 12-5-2 at home this season; 5-10-1 on the road and 2-0-1 in neutral-site contests. Both of MSU's neutral-site wins came at Joe Louis Arena.
• JR F David Booth has missed the last seven games with a cracked rib and will be reevaluated this week. Booth has played in 29 games this season, posting 7-9--16 totals.
MICHIGAN STATE QUICK HITS
• Michigan State carries a 19-15-4 overall, 12-13-3 sixth-place CCHA slate into this weekend's CCHA Super Six. The Spartans have won a season-best five straight contests.
• SR F Jim Slater (16-28--44) paces MSU in scoring with 44 points, while JR F Colton Fretter (19-23--42) is second with 42 points. SO F Drew Miller (17-13--30) is third with 30 points, while SR F Ash Goldie (10-10--20) and FR F Chris Mueller (1-17--18) round out the top five scorers with 20 and 18 points, respectively.
• In goal, SO Dominic Vicari is 17-14-4 with a 2.30 goals-against average and a .922 saves percentage. Vicari is backed up by JR Rod Tocco and SR Matt Migliaccio.
• State has converted on 45-of-238 (.189) of its power-play attempts, while killing off 151-of-186 (.812) of its opponents' power-play chances.
• MSU ranks second in the CCHA in shots on goal, averaging 34.5 shots per game. However, when it comes to netting goals, State ranks seventh in the CCHA and tied for 27th in the nation, averaging 2.97 goals per game.
• Defensively, the Spartans are allowing 2.45 goals per game to rank third in the CCHA and 14th in the nation.
NEBRASKA-OMAHA QUICK HITS
• Nebraska-Omaha carries a 19-15-4 overall mark into Thursday's match-up with Michigan State. The Mavericks swept Lake Superior, 4-3 and 4-3 OT, last weekend to advance to the CCHA Championships at Joe Louis Arena.
• UNO is 4-5-1 in its last 10 games.
• UNO is under the direction of eighth-year head coach Mike Kemp, who has compiled a 124-155-31 mark.
• SO F Scott Parse, a Portage, Mich., native and FR F Bill Thomas rank one-two on the Mavericks in scoring. Parse has 49 points (19 goals, 30 assists), while Thomas has 45 points (19 goals, 26 assists) to lead all rookies in scoring. FR F Bryan Marshall is third with 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists).
• Between the pipes, SO Chris Holt has posted a 19-13-4 mark along with a 2.87 GAA and a .903 saves percentage.
• The Mavericks are averaging 3.50 goals per game to rank sixth in the nation in scoring. Defensively, UNO is allowing 3.13 goals per game.
• UNO is connecting at a 18.8 percent clip (45-of-239) on the power play, while its penalty kill stands at 79.6 percent (180-of-226).
MSU-UNO SERIES INFORMATION
Michigan State holds a 12-5 edge in the all-time series with Nebraska-Omaha. However, State is just 6-4 in its last 10 meetings with the Mavericks.
MSU and UNO split the 2004-05 series in East Lansing with MSU taking game one, 5-2; before UNO posted an identical 5-2 victory in game two.
2004-05 SERIES RECAP
Friday, Oct. 29, 2004 -- at Michigan State 5, Nebraska-Omaha 2
First-period goals by David Booth, Colton Fretter and Ash Goldie (power play) gave State a 3-0 advantage en route to a 5-2 win over previously-undefeated Nebraska-Omaha at Munn Ice Arena. UNO scored at the 10-minute mark of the second period and added another goal by Dan Hacker, just 1:07 into the third period to make it 3-2. However, the Spartans tallied a pair of goals (Kevin Estrada and Mike Lalonde) to regain a 5-2 edge. Matt Migliaccio earned the starting nod in net, stopping 17 shots. UNO's Chris Holt finished with 39 stops. MSU was 2-for-6 on the power play, while UNO was 0-for-1 with its lone attempt just 22 seconds long.
Saturday, Oct. 30, 2004 -- Nebraska-Omaha 5, at Michigan State 2
With three second-period goals, Nebraska-Omaha jumped out to a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes. Back-to-back goals by Drew Miller (15:10) and Tommy Goebel (15:52) just 42 seconds apart in the third period brought the Spartans within two, 4-2. Bill Thomas would score an empty-net goal to seal the win for UNO. Chris Holt finished with 28 stops, while Dominic Vicari and Matt Migliaccio combined to make 22 stops. State finished 0-for-7 with the man advantage, while UNO was 1-for-4.
ONE LAST LOOK - MSU-MIA NOTEBOOK
Notes from Friday's 2-1 win:
• JR F Chad Hontvet scored his first career goal on the power play in the second period at the 7:35 mark. With his second goal at 13:24 mark, Hontvet collected his first career multiple-point and multiple-goal games.
• MSU's last three wins have been one-goal victories. In addition to Friday, State posted 3-2 and 2-1 victories over Notre Dame last weekend (March 4-5).
• SR F Ash Goldie marked his first point since Feb. 5 against Michigan with a pair of assists.
• SR F Mike Lalonde collected his first point (an assist) since Feb. 18 against Ohio State.
• State tallied a pair of power-play goals and is now 14-for-50 (.280) with the man advantage in the last seven games. MSU has scored at least two power-play markers in five of those seven games.
• SO D Ethan Graham has three points (one goal, two assists) in the last four games.
• The Spartans are 15-1 when leading the game after 40 minutes.
• With Friday's 2-1 win, the Spartans put together their third four-game unbeaten streak of the season to tie a season high. State also went 3-0-1 from Nov. 5-14, 2004 and then put together a 4-0-0 ledger from Dec. 11, 2004 to Jan. 7, 2005.
Notes from Saturday's 5-4 OT win:
• The Spartans won their first-round series in two games for the 12th time in 14 years, and advance to the CCHA Super Six for a 14th straight year.
• JR F Colton Fretter scored his team-leading fifth game-winning goal of the season at 7:45 in overtime. Fretter also scored the Spartans' last goal in regulation for his fifth multiple-goal game of the season.
• The Spartans' five game winning-streak is a season high. MSU is also a perfect 4-0 in the month of March.
• With his three-point night (1-2--3), SR F Jim Slater equaled his season-best point total. It marks the third time in the last five games that Slater has tallied three points in a contest.
• With MSU's first goal, FR F Bryan Lerg collected his first point since Feb. 26, 2005, against Bowling Green.
• MSU is 11-5-0 in its last 16 games against Miami.
• SO F Tom Goebel scored his first goal since Dec. 11, 2004, against Notre Dame - a span of 19 games.
• MSU won for just the second time this season when trailing after 40 minutes.
• SR F Ash Goldie collected three assists this weekend after going six games without a point.
• FR D Jeff Dunne collected his first point in six games, an assist on State's third goal.
• JR D Corey Potter's assist on MSU's second goal was his first point since Feb. 18, 2005, against Ohio State. All told, Potter has four helpers in 29 games this year.
MSU AT THE CCHA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Michigan State is making its 14th straight trip to Joe Louis Arena for the CCHA Super Six Championships this weekend as the Spartans will be looking for their first CCHA Playoff Championship since 2001. As a whole, MSU has captured 10 CCHA Playoff Championships (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1998, 2000 and 2001). MSU's 10 tournament titles lead the CCHA and its 14 championship game appearances also tops the league.
MSU advanced to the CCHA title game for three straight years (2000, 2001 and 2002), capturing the crown in 2000 and 2001. However, in order for the Spartans to advance to the title tilt, the team will have to win back-to-back games.
MSU has compiled an all-time mark of 62-17 (.785) in CCHA Championship action.
 Jim Slater  | |
SR F Jim Slater continues to shine for the Spartans. The Lapeer, Mich., native equaled his season best with a three-point performance (one goal, two assists) in State's 5-4 OT win over Miami (March 12). Slater's goal, with just 14 seconds left in the second period, pulled MSU within one (3-2). He also set up MSU's third goal and Colton Fretter's game-winning tally as MSU advanced to the CCHA Super Six at Joe Louis Arena.
MSU's team MVP has 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in his last eight games, including four multiple-point games.
IN SOME SELECT COMPANY
All told, SR F Jim Slater now has 44 points (16 goals, 28 assists) in 38 games this season. Combined with his 48-point showing (19 goals, 29 assists) one year ago and his 44 points (18 goals, 26 assists) as a sophomore, Slater became the first Spartan since Mike York (1996-1999) to record three straight 40-point seasons. York posted 47 points in 1996-97; 61 points in 1997-98 and 54 points in 1998-99.
SLATER CONTINUES HIS ASCENT UP STATE'S TOP 30
SR F Jim Slater currently holds down the No. 24 spot on MSU's all-time scoring list with 168 career points (64 goals, 104 assists). Slater needs just two more points to surpass Steve Suk (1991-95, 169 points) for 23rd on State's all-time scoring chart.
LEARNING TO WIN THE CLOSE ONES
The Spartans are 6-8 in one-goal games this season. However, the Spartans have recorded four straight one-goal wins for the first time this season, recording 3-2 and 2-1 wins over Notre Dame (March 4-5) and last weekend's 2-1 and 5-4 OT wins over Miami.
On the flip side is the fact that four of State's last five losses have been by one goal, including a 2-1 loss at Bowling Green (Feb. 25); a pair of one-goal games at Alaska Fairbanks (Feb. 11-12; 6-5 OT and 1-0 losses) and a 5-4 loss at Western Michigan (Jan. 14).
MSU's first two one-goal victories occurred in State's run to the Great Lakes Invitational Championship as the Spartans recorded a 4-3 OT win over New Hampshire and a 2-1 OT victory over Michigan.
 Dominic Vicari | |
SO G Dominic Vicari continues to stand tall between the pipes for the Spartans. The Clinton Township, Mich., native turned aside 59-of-64 shots (.922) in State's two-game series with Miami. In Friday's 2-1 win, he stopped 25-of-26 shots en route to No. 2 star of the game honors. He recorded nine saves in the opening stanza, six in the middle and 10 in the final, as well as helping hold Miami to just 1-for-5 with man advantage. In Saturday's 5-4 OT win, Vicari finished with 34 stops, including five in the extra session and helped hold Miami 1-for-7 on the power play.
Over the course of the last five games, Vicari is 5-0-0 with a 2.15 GAA and a .924 saves percentage.
THE IRONMAN IN THE NET
SO G Dominic Vicari has started 22 straight games in net for the Spartans. During this span, he has compiled a 12-7-3 mark along with a 2.22 GAA and a .927 saves percentage. His streak started with a 3-2 overtime loss at Notre Dame (Dec. 10).
For the season, Vicari is 17-14-4 with a 2.30 GAA and a .922 saves percentage. He ranks 12th in the nation in saves percentage (.922) and 19th in GAA (2.30). In addition, he is tied for seventh in the nation with four shutouts.
DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE
As might be expected, it has been a tale of two teams this season for Michigan State. For example:
• In its 19 victories, MSU is averaging 4.2 goals per game (80 goals scored). On the other hand, State has scored a combined 27 goals (1.8 gpg) in its 15 losses.
• Defensively, it's almost the exact same story. The Spartans have allowed just 30 goals (1.6 gpg) in their 19 wins, while State has given up 57 goals (3.3 gpg) in its 15 losses.
• MSU is connecting at a 26.0 percent clip (33-of-127) on the power play when it wins and just 11.1 percent (10-of-90) when it loses.
• In addition, opponents have scored a combined four shorthanded tallies in State's 15 losses.
• The first period has been MSU's strong suit in victories as the team has 23 first-period tallies and are 12-1-2 when leading after one stanza.
• In its 15 losses, the first two periods have been State's downfall as opponents have outscored the Spartans by a combined margin of 42-to-17. The Spartans are 2-14-2 this season when trailing after 40 minutes.
• To make matters even worse, the Spartans are just 4-12-4 when scoring two or fewer goals. The team's three wins are a 2-0 victory over Cornell (Nov. 14); a 2-1 win over Michigan (Dec. 30); a 2-1 win at Notre Dame (March 5) and a 2-1 win over Miami (March 11).
• In addition, State is 5-12 when allowing three or more goals.
 Chad Hontvet | |
JR F Chad Hontvet had a Friday night to remember against Miami. The Warroad, Minn., native tallied the first two goals of his career, both on the power play, to help MSU to a 2-1 win over Miami (March 11). Hontvet's first marker at the 7:35 mark of the second period tied the game at one, while his second goal at the 13:24 mark gave State a 2-1 lead. The two goals also marked his first multiple-point game of his career.
Prior to Friday's game against Miami, Hontvet had played in just 28 career games, recording four assists. His goal on Friday marked his first tally since the 2001-02 season when he was a member of the USHL's Lincoln Stars.
 Tommy Goebel | |
SO F Tommy Goebel tallied his first goal in 19 games and just his fourth marker of the season in Saturday's 5-4 OT win vs. Miami. Goebel's goal at the 13:25 mark of the third period helped State close the gap to 4-3.
After registering 15 goals and 32 points as a freshman in 2003-04, the Parma, Ohio, native has just 17 points (four goals, 13 assists) in 38 games this year.
A LITTLE OF THIS AND THAT ...
• MSU has tallied 45 power-play goals this season; the team's best showing since registering 50 in 2002-03. The school record for power-play goals in a season is 91, set in 1988-89.
• The 2004-05 season marked the 14th straight year that State has hosted a first-round event. All told, MSU has been home for the opening round in 23 of its 24 seasons in the CCHA, starting with the 1981-82 campaign.
• The Spartans are 6-4-3 against nationally ranked teams this season.
• SR F Jim Slater is tied for sixth in the CCHA overall scoring race with 44 points (16 goals, 28 assists), while JR F Colton Fretter is tied for eighth with 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists).
• Four Spartans (Bryan Lerg, Ash Goldie, Drew Miller and Jim McKenzie) have tallied hat tricks this season. In addition, Lerg became the first Spartan rookie to record a hat trick since David Booth tallied three goals vs. Alaska Fairbanks on Jan. 10, 2003.
• In games following a win, the Spartans are 10-7-2 this season. Meanwhile, in games following a loss, State is 9-6-0, while the team is 0-1-2 in games following a tie.
• In State's 6-5 OT loss at Alaska Fairbanks (Feb. 11), MSU JR F David Booth and FR F Bryan Lerg set a new MSU record for fastest two goals by two players at five seconds. Booth's goal came at the 4:36 mark of the third period, while Lerg's was at 4:41. The previous record was six seconds, set on Feb. 21, 1987, by Bruce Rendall and Bill Shibicky vs. Ohio State.
• MSU is still looking for its first shorthanded goal of the season. The last Spartan to register a shorthanded tally was Lee Falardeau against Northern Michigan on Jan. 3, 2004.
 Colton Fretter | |
JR F Colton Fretter continues to find a way to put the puck in the net in key situations. The Harrow, Ont., native tallied a pair of goals, including the game-tying marker at 14:54 of the third and the game winner at 7:45 of the extra session, to lift MSU to a 5-4 comeback win over Miami Saturday.
His game winner Saturday marked his fifth of the season and his first since scoring the game winner, also in overtime, in a 2-1 win over Michigan to capture the Great Lakes Invitational title. His five game winners pace MSU and put him tied for fourth in the nation.
IT'S BEEN QUITE A YEAR
It's been quite a year for JR F Colton Fretter as he ranks second on the squad and tied for eighth in the CCHA overall scoring race with 42 points (19 goals, 23 assists). His 19 goals this season already surpass his total from his freshman (seven goals) and sophomore (six) years combined. With 42 points to his credit, the Harrow, Ont., native has almost doubled his season-best 22 points (seven goals, 15 assists) set during his freshman year (2002-03).
INCONSISTENCIES WITH MAN ADVANTAGE
It has been a struggle at times for the Spartans with the man advantage. In their 19 wins, the Spartans are connecting at a 26.0 percent clip (33-of-127) with the man advantage. State has at least two power-play tallies in nine of the 19 victories, including a season-best five in State's 6-3 win over Bowling Green (Feb. 26).
However, it has been a different story in the team's 14 losses, as MSU is just 10-for-90 (.111) with the extra skater. The Spartans have had plenty of opportunities in those games as State had 11 power-play attempts vs. St. Lawrence (0 goals); 12 and 10 vs. Northern Michigan (1 goal each night); seven vs. Nebraska-Omaha (0 goals); five vs. Michigan (1 goal); six at Michigan (2 goals); four attempts at Minnesota (0 goals); seven vs. Bowling Green (one goal); five at Notre Dame (one goal); five at Miami (one goal); seven at Western Michigan (one goal); zero and two at Alaska Fairbanks (0 goals); six vs. Ohio State (one goal); and three at Bowling Green (0 goals). MSU's two power-play goals at U-M marked the first time all season that State had scored two power-play markers in a loss.
AND MORE ON THAT POWER PLAY
Overall, MSU's power play is connecting at a 18.9 percent clip (45-of-238). The Spartans are sixth in the CCHA and 20th in the country with the man advantage.
POWER PLAY MUST BE KEY TO SUCCESS
One of the keys to Michigan State's success over the past few seasons has been the Spartans' power play. In 2003-04, MSU's power play ranked 25th in the nation and fourth in the CCHA at 17.8 percent (31-of-174).
To further illustrate MSU's success, take note: MSU led the CCHA and ranked third in the nation with the man advantage at 27.5 percent (50-of-182) in 2002-03. 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).
WHO IS HOT RIGHT NOW ...
• SR F Jim Slater with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in his last eight contests.
• JR F Colton Fretter with 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in his last eight games.
• FR F Jim McKenzie with nine points (seven goals, two assists) in his last eight games.
• SO F Drew Miller with six points (three goals, three assists) in his last five games.
• SO F/D Tyler Howells with five power-play assists in his last seven games.
• SR F Ash Goldie with three assists in his last two games.
• During MSU's five-game win streak, SO G Dominic Vicari is 5-0-0 with a 2.15 GAA and a .924 saves percentage.
 Drew Miller | |
One of MSU's Most Improved Players this season has been SO F Drew Miller. The East Lansing, Mich., native, who was one of MSU's top defensive forwards last season, has added some additional offense to his game this season. He currently ranks third on MSU in scoring with 30 points (17 goals, 13 assists) in 36 games after scoring just 10 (four goals, six assists) all of last season (42 games played)
Miller paces the team and is tied for seventh in the CCHA with nine power-play markers among his 17 goals. In addition, he still is one of the team's top defensive forwards with 65 blocked shots to his credit.
STREAKING SPARTANS
Michigan State carries a season-best five-game winning streak into Thursday's game with Nebraska-Omaha. The streak started with a 6-3 win over Bowling Green at Munn Ice Arena Feb. 26 and has seen State win its last four games by one goal (3-2 and 2-1 vs. Notre Dame and 2-1 and 6-5 OT vs. Miami). All told, State's five-game winning streak is currently the eighth longest in the nation. Cornell holds the nation's longest unbeaten streak at 16 games (15-0-1), while Michigan is second at 11 games (9-0-2).
STREAKING SPARTANS II
During MSU's current five-game unbeaten streak, the Spartans:
• are averaging 3.6 goals per game, while allowing 2.2 goals.
• are outscoring their opponent 8-to-1 in the third period.
• have converted at a 30.0 percent success rate (12-of-40) on the power play.
• are averaging just 10 penalty minutes per game, while their opponent is averaging 19 minutes per game.
• are led in scoring by SR F Jim Slater with 3-7--10 totals and JR F Colton Fretter with 3-4--7 totals in this span.
• are led in goal by SO Dominic Vicari with a 5-0-0 mark along with a 2.15 GAA and a .924 saves percentage.
 | |
SO F/D Tyler Howells has become Michigan State's Mr. Versatility. The Eden Prairie, Minn., native not only is one of the Spartans' specialists both on the power play and the penalty kill, but he has the ability to play either forward or defense.
All told, Howells has appeared in 32 games, including 21 at the blueline with 1-14--15 totals. Of his 15 points this season, 13 have come via the power play (one goal, 12 assists).
SPARTAN PLAYER OF THE WEEK
JR F Chad Hontvet and JR F Colton Fretter are this week's Spartan Players of the Week after their performances in State's two-game sweep of Miami in the first round of the CCHA Playoffs. Hontvet tallied the first two goals of his career in MSU's 2-1 win over the RedHawks on Friday. Meanwhile, Fretter tallied the game-tying goal with 5:06 left in the third and added the game winner, just 7:45 into overtime, in MSU's 5-4 come-from-behind win over Miami Saturday.
The Spartan coaching staff will select a Spartan Player of the Week each Monday.
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This season, MSU's defense has been anchored by the duo of SO Ethan Graham and JR Corey Potter. The duo have been the work horses of the Spartan blueliners, averaging close to 30 minutes of ice time per game and are counted on to play in all situations on the ice. The duo are key components of State's penalty kill and also see ice time on the power play.
Graham leads all blueliners in scoring with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) and a +17 rating in 37 games. Since the Great Lakes Invitational, the Xenia, Ohio, native has four goals and seven assists for 11 points. He has already surpassed his output from his freshman year when he totaled 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 42 games.
Potter has played in 29 games and has four helpers. He picked up his fourth assist of the season on State's second goal in Saturday's 5-4 OT win vs. Miami. In addition, the Mason, Mich., native leads the team with 65 penalty minutes and is third with a +12 rating. His physical presence on the blueline is a force for opponents to reckon with.
BLANKING THAT OPPONENT
SO G Dominic Vicari has four blankings on the season and is tied with Joe Selinger (1958-59) for seventh on MSU's single-season chart. In addition, Vicari leads the CCHA and is tied for fourth in the nation with his four blankings.
The Clinton Township, Mich., native now has 11 career blankings to place third on MSU's career blankings list. Ryan Miller (1999-2002) is State's career leader with 26, while Chad Alban (1994-98) is second with 12.
IT MAY BE HARD TO BELIEVE, BUT ...
With back-to-back wins over Miami in the first round of the CCHA Playoffs at Munn Ice Arena last weekend, it marked MSU's first sweep at Munn Ice Arena in almost one year. Prior to last weekend, the last time State swept an opponent at Munn was March 12-13, 2004, when the Spartans posted 6-4 and 5-3 wins over Ferris State, also in the first round of the CCHA Playoffs.
KEEPING THAT OFFENSE MOVING
In their last eight wins, the Spartans are averaging 4.50 goals per game, including a season-best eight goals vs. Lake Superior State (Jan. 21). State also tallied six goals in back-to-back wins over Ohio State (Feb. 18) and Bowling Green (Feb. 26) and five against Miami (March 12).
On the flip side, in State's last six losses and three ties, the Spartans have tallied just 17 goals (1.89 goals per game). MSU has scored two goals or fewer in seven of its last nine losses or ties.
MSU ranks second in the CCHA in shots on goal, averaging 34.5 shots per game. However, when it comes to netting goals, State ranks seventh in the CCHA and tied for 27th in the nation, averaging 2.97 goals per game.
All told, MSU is 15-3-0 when scoring three or more goals, but just 4-12-4 when failing to register more than two goals in a game.
LOOKING AT THOSE CCHA REGULAR-SEASON SERIES
MSU swept just two CCHA series this season. State recorded its first CCHA sweep, taking a pair of games from Ferris State (W, 4-2 and 5-1) in a home-and-home series Nov. 5-6, 2004, and closed out the year with 3-2 and 2-1 wins over Notre Dame (March 4-5).
After being swept by Michigan (Nov. 18-20), MSU split six of its nine CCHA series, skated to back-to-back ties with league-leader Michigan (Feb. 4-5) and lost a two-game set at Alaska Fairbanks (Feb. 11-12). MSU's six CCHA series splits include: Bowling Green (Dec. 3-4; L, 2-1 and W, 6-4); Notre Dame (Dec. 10-11; L, 3-2 and W, 4-1); Miami (Jan. 7-8; W, 4-0 and L, 4-1); Western Michigan (Jan. 14-15; L, 5-4 and W, 3-1); Ohio State (Feb. 18-19; W, 6-3 and L, 5-1) and Bowling Green (Feb. 25-26, L, 2-1 and W, 6-3).
In addition, the Spartans took three out of four points from Lake Superior State (Jan. 21-22; W, 8-0 and T, 2-2 OT). State also split its first home CCHA series against Nebraska-Omaha (Oct. 29-30) and was swept at Northern Michigan, Oct. 22-23.
IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING (AND DIDN'T WANT TO ASK)
Michigan State, which finished the conference slate with a 12-13-3 sixth-place record, finished the CCHA regular season with a losing record for the first time in 24 seasons in conference action. Prior to this year, the last time a Spartan squad has finished below .500 in conference play was in 1980-81, MSU's last season in the WCHA. State posted a 10th-place 7-20-1 WCHA mark.
HOW ABOUT AN EXTRA SESSION
The Spartans have played nine overtime games this season, the most since the 1985-86 season when the team also played nine extra session games. The Spartans are 3-2-4 in overtime games this season.
These nine extra session games includes four consecutive overtime games for only the second time in the program's history - Lake Superior (Jan. 22), Michigan (Feb. 4-5) and Alaska Fairbanks (Feb. 11). The other occurrence was during the 1970-1971 season.
The school record for overtime games in a season is 11, set in 1986-87 and again in 1991-92.
MSU TRAINER DAVE CARRIER TO RECEIVE DISTINGUISHED TRAINER AWARD
MSU hockey trainer Dave Carrier has been selected to receive the 2005 Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award at this year's National Athletic Trainers Association convention. The award, which is one of NATA's highest honors, was given out to 18 individuals. There are approximately 25,000 certified athletic trainers in the U.S.
Carrier, who is in his 21st season as the head hockey trainer, earned the 1992 Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award. In 1990, he served as the head athletic trainer for the U.S. Hockey Team at the World Championships. He also worked with the 1988 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team as well as working at the 1992 Winter Olympics with the ski jumpers and nordic track athletes.
The Albion, Mich., native was the 1997 Michigan Athletic Trainers Distinguished Award winner and in 1998 earned the Service Award from the National Athletic Trainers Association for his dedication and contributions to the profession.
 Rick Comley | |
In his third 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 662-521-79 (.556) career record in 32 seasons and ranks sixth all-time on the NCAA hockey coaches wins list. In addition, his 662 career victories ranks third among active NCAA coaches, behind Boston College's Jerry York (720 wins) and Boston University's Jack Parker (715 wins).
The 2003-04 Spartan squad finished the season with a 23-17-2 overall slate en route to advancing to the NCAA Tournament. State came within three points of winning the league's regular-season crown as the Spartans finished with a third-place 17-9-2 CCHA mark. State, which made its 23rd appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2004, finished the season ranked 14th in the USA Today/American Hockey Magazine poll and 12th in the USCHO.com poll.
The accolades continued to pile up for MSU players as forward Jim Slater and defenseman A.J. Thelen both earned All-America Second-Team honors for the first time in their careers. Slater also was a Hobey Baker Finalist, marking the seventh straight year that the Spartans have had a Hobey Baker finalist. In addition, Thelen and goaltender Dominic Vicari were selected to the CCHA All-Rookie Team. Thelen became the third Spartan blueliner to receive the CCHA's Best Offensive Defenseman award, while Vicari picked up the CCHA's Best Goaltender after leading the conference with six blankings.
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 31 years of head coaching experience and a proven record of success at the conference and national levels. During his career, he's coached nine Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalists, including 2003 finalist John-Michael Liles and 2004 finalist Jim Slater; 14 All-Americans; four league players of the year; 25 first-team all-league selections, including 2004 honorees Jim Slater and A.J. Thelen; and 80 academic all-league selections.
DID YOU KNOW?
Nine current Spartans (Tyler Howells, Chris Lawrence, Bryan Lerg, Drew Miller, Adam and Jared Nightingale, Jim Slater, Dan Sturges and Dominic Vicari) have fathers who played college or professional sports. However, of those nine, only Howells', Lerg's Miller's and Sturges' dads played college hockey. Howells' dad, Robert, played at Bemidji State; Lerg's father, Dan, played at Michigan; while Miller's dad, Dean, and Sturges' dad, John, were Spartans.
THE Rick Comley RADIO SHOW
The Rick Comley Radio Show will run throughout the season, on Wednesdays 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
Should MSU win the CCHA Playoff Championship or receive an at-large bid into the 2005 NCAA Tournament, the Spartans would go to one of four regional sites for the tournament. The four regional sites are: Worcester, Mass., (East Regional); Grand Rapids, Mich., (Midwest Regional); Amherst, Mass., (Northeast Regional); and Minneapolis, Minn., (West Regional).
The 30-minute selection show of the 16-team field will be broadcast live on ESPN2 on Sunday, March 20 at 11 a.m.
