Spartans, Irish Tie; ND Wins Shootout

Nov. 19, 2009

East Lansing, Mich. - Michigan State and Notre Dame skated to a 1-1 tie on Thursday evening at Munn Ice Arena, but the Irish earned the extra point in the standings as they won the shootout in four rounds, 2-1. Drew Palmisano made 25 saves for MSU, as it extended its unbeaten streak to eight games (6-0-2). Derek Grant had the lone goal for the Spartans, who will face the Irish again on Sunday in a matinee effort in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The Irish got the win in the fourth shootout round, as Dan Kissel deked, stopped, and waited for Palmisano to commit before going low, glove-side for the eventual shootout winner. Andrew Rowe had MSU's shootout marker as the second shooter, putting a backhand effort high over the shoulder of Irish netminder Mike Johnson. Ben Ryan sent the shootout into sudden death when he beast Palmisano low, blocker side as the third ND shooter.

After a scoreless first period, the Irish took the first lead of the game in the middle frame. Ian Cole had the puck at the left half-wall just above the has marks, and threw the puck netward. Kyle Palmieri dove to get a stick on the puck, and redirected it just enough to beat Drew Palmisano low at the left post. The freshman's third goal of the season gave the Irish the lead at 13:26.

The Spartans got an equalizer at 6:26 of the third. Nick Sucharski had a heavy shot from the left point, which was blocked and redirected to the right side by Corey Tropp. The puck found Derek Grant at the right post, and he had a good amount of empty net to work with for his sixth tally of the season .

Ian Cole was whistled for a major penalty for hitting from behind with 5:45 to play in the third period, giving MSU a non-releasable five-minute power play; Kyle Lawson got called for a charge a minute later to give MSU an extended 5-on-3. The Irish were aggressive with their kill, and goalie Mike Johnson came up with a few big saves - including a pad save on a Derek Grant backdoor shot - to keep MSU off the board. MSU's advantage was negated when Derek Grant was whistled for slashing with 2:26 remaining, putting the teams even for all but 15 seconds remaining in regulation.

Despite outshooting their visitors 4-0 in the extra period, Johnson continued to come up with big saves, and kept MSU's offense at bay to forge the deadlock at the final buzzer.

NOTES: MSU is now 1-0-2 in overtime contests this season , but has lost both shootouts its had in CCHA play ... The Spartans have their longest unbeaten streak since early in the 2007-08 season, when they won eight straight ... MSU is unbeaten at home this season (5-0-2) ... Michigan State also extended its unbeaten streak against ranked teams to six games (4-0-2) ...MSU allowed the first goal of the season to an opponent for just the fourth time in 13 games ... MSU has not allowed a power-play goal in its last three contests (13-for-13), but is 0-for-14 on the power play in the same span ... The Spartans trailed at the second intermission (1-0) for just the third time this season ... Drew Palmisano owns a 1.25 GAA and .955 save percentage in his last seven games. On the season, his statistics are a 1.67 GAA and .939 save percentage, and a 7-1-2 record in 10 starts ... Grant's third-period goal snapped his streak of two games without a point ...