Spartans Shut Out Michigan, Sweep Weekend
11/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Nov. 14, 2009
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Post-Game Audio: MSU Head Coach Rick | Michigan Coach Red Berenson
East Lansing, Mich - Michigan State completed a weekend sweep of archrival Michigan on Saturday with a 2-0 shutout of the Wolverines at Munn Ice Arena. A capacity crowd of 7,009 watched the Spartans win both ends of a weekend set for the first time since the 1997-98 season, and sophomore goaltender Drew Palmisano record a 31-save shutout. Michigan State leads the country with nine victories (9-2-1) and leads the CCHA with a 6-1-1 record in league tilts.
Chris Forfar put the Spartans on the board with what would be the eventual game-winner at 12:58. Mike Merrifield collected the puck in the right circle and put a shot on net that was saved by Bryan Hogan. Merrifield chased down the puck behind the net, wheeled out to the left side, and dished it across the slot to Forfar at the bottom of the right circle, and the centerman lifted the puck over the shoulder of Hogan.
In the second, Michigan was getting shots to the net, but Palmisano came up with the saves - including big back-to back ones on , first on Louie Caporusso and then a Chris Brown shot that he shoved aside with his left pad at the 10:30 mark. The Wolverines had 15 shots on net in the frame, but struggled to beat Palmisano.
The Spartans got the insurance goal at 1:31 of the third period, when the Wolverines turned over the puck in their own defensive end. Dustin Gazley sent a shot netward, and Andrew Rowe finished it off at the right post. It was Rowe's second goal in as many nights.
Neither team had any luck on the man advantage on the weekend, as Michigan finished tonight's game 0-for-6 on the power play. MSU was 0-for-3.
The Spartans are back in action on Thursday evening, when they host Notre Dame at Munn Ice Arena. The teams will complete the series on Sunday in Fort Wayne, Ind.
