Michigan State University
Wisconsin
Spartans Drop Third Straight, Shut Out By Badgers, 2-0
11/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 25, 2006
Madison, Wis. - Sophomore goaltender Shane Connolly earned a win in his second start of the season as Wisconsin snapped a six-game losing streak with a 2-0 shutout victory over Michigan State in the College Hockey Showcase Saturday evening in Madison, Wis. The Spartans fall to 6-6-1 with the loss, their third straight; Wisconsin is now 5-9-2.
The offensively-challenged Badgers tried to jump on the board early, and had four great chances on their first power play of the night. Lerg denied Kyle Klubertanz's screened shot from the high slot twice during the man advantage, and Ben Grotting had two point-blank shots stopped at the near post by Lerg's pad saves. UW carried momentum once the MSU penalty expired, but Jeff Lerg was up to the task - he also got a little help from the right post on a Ross Carlson shot from the half-wall.
The home team got on the board less than a minute into the middle period on a goal by senior captain Andrew Joudrey. Joudrey carried the puck over the blueline along the right wall, then moved laterally across the blueline into the high slot. His wrister beat Jeff Lerg five-hole for his second goal of the season.
The Spartans had their first power play chance soon thereafter, but it was the Badgers with the best scoring opportunity despite being shorthanded. MSU turned the puck over behind its own net for Ross Carlson, who fed Andy Brandt in the slot - but he was denied by Lerg to keep the game close.
Wisconsin added a goal in the final minute of play to bookend the period and take a 2-0 lead into the final frame. Jeff Lerg made the initial save on a shot by Michael Davies, but the rebound came out to the right side. An untouched Ben Street pounced on the idle puck, and backhanded his third goal of the season into an unguarded right side of the net.
Michigan State struggled to put shots on net, with just four in the opening frame (compared to eight by the Badgers) and trailed 21-10 at the end of two periods. Connolly made 19 saves in the shutout victory, while Jeff Lerg finished with 25.
The Spartans get a home series on the slate next weekend, hosting CCHA rival Ohio State at Munn Ice Arena.
NOTES: Michigan State was shut out for the first time since Feb. 12, 2005 at Alaska Fairbanks (1-0) and has a three-game losing streak for the first time since Nov. 11-15, 2005. ... The Spartans did not allow a goal in the first period for the sixth time in seven games ... Michigan State's loss is its first to Wisconsin at the Kohl Center in the College Hockey Showcase ... Michigan State falls to 1-6-1 on the road this season ... The Spartans are now winless in their last four Showcase games (0-3-1) ... The Spartans are 0-5-0 when trailing after two periods ...
