Michigan State University
Air Force
Spartans Rally For Overtime Win Over Air Force
10/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Oct. 8, 2011
Box Score | Video Highlights | Post-Game Audio: Head Coach Tom Anastos
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Lee Reimer scored his second goal of the game 54 seconds into overtime to give Michigan State its first victory of the Tom Anastos era, a 3-2 win over Air Force in the consolation game of the IceBreaker Tournament. Will Yanakeff made his first start of the season and recorded 26 saves in the winning effort.
Reimer's game-winner came 54 seconds into the extra period. The Spartans were establishing themselves in the offensive zone when Greg Wolfe intercepted a clearing pass to keep it deep and got the puck over to the left side of the net. Dean Chelios had a swipe, but Reimer played the role of hero, helping deliver Anastos his first victory at Michigan State.
"It was really nice to get the first win for our team and Coach Anastos," said Reimer, who hails from Landmark, Manitoba - an easy drive for the estimated 25 friends and family who came to cheer him on. "We had to just keep going, and it will be nice to head home on a high note. Hopefully, we can keep it going next week."
The Falcons (0-2-0) wasted little time jumping out to a lead. Paul Weisgarber carried the puck below the goal line and out to the right corner, and pushed it out to Casey Kleisinger on the goal line. Kleisinger shot from about 5 feet off the wall on the goal line, and the puck caromed off the leg pad of Yanakeff and into the back of the net.
The Spartans (1-1-0) got the equalizer 8:33 into the middle frame. MSU had generated twice the shots in the opening half of the middle period as it did in the entire first frame, and were pressuring in the offensive end. Dean Chelios held the puck against the right wall deep in the zone and got the puck up to Reimer at the edge of the circle closest to the wall. Reimer sent a cross-slot pass to Wolfe in the left circle, and he beat Jason Torf blocker-side.
MSU ended up taking a 2-1 deficit into the locker room for the second intermission for the second straight night when it allowed a goal to Scott Mathis with 1:48 remaining in the period. Mathis' shot came from just inside the blue line between the slot and the left point, and it beat a screened Yanakeff after making its way through traffic.
The Spartans took advantage of a power play to net the equalizer at 5:21 of the third period. The interference call on Tony Thomas negated an Air Force power-play, and gave the Spartans 46 seconds of advantage at the back end. Matt Crandell carried the puck over the blue line and dished to Reimer, who barreled into the slot. His backhand pass to Wolfe was tapped by the Falcon defender, putting it back onto Reimer's stick. Reimer slid the puck past Torf for his first of the season.
Jake Chelios was sent to the box late in the third period on a holding call assessed when the blueliner was trying to break up a 2-on-1. Yanakeff was tremendous during this stretch of PK, making a point-blank save on the 2-on-1 and stopping three other chances on the Falcon man advantage.
Unable to settle in regulation, the teams advanced into the overtime period. The Spartans came out aggressively, buzzing the offensive zone on the second shift. The Spartans did not wait long to be rewarded for their persistence, getting the game-winner less than a minute into the extra period.
Reimer was named to the All-Tournament Team.
The Spartans now turn their attention to conference play, heading to Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. to tangle with Lake Superior State next weekend. Those games on Friday and Saturday start at 7:05 p.m.
