Michigan State University Athletics
MSU Snaps Winless Skid With 2-1 Victory
1/14/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Jan. 14, 2012
Video Highlights. - Brock Shelgren's second-period goal stood as the game winner and Torey Krug assisted on both Spartan tallies as MSU defeated Northern Michigan, 2-1, on Saturday. Will Yanakeff made 23 saves for the Spartans, who improve to 12-9-3 overall, and 7-7-2-2 in CCHA play.
Listen to the Spartan Sports Podcasts:
Head Coach Tom Anastos Press Conference
Captain Torey Krug and goaltender Will Yanakeff Press Conference
After a wild scoring affair that saw 10 goals on Friday night, the 6,200 fans at Munn Ice Arena witnessed a tight defensive battle on Saturday. The visitors got on the board first for the second straight night, as Matt Thurber put Northern Michigan on the board at 4:48. Assists went to Kyle Follmer and Scott Macaulay.
The Spartans evened the score at 15:48. Matt Berry had the initial shot that eventually trickled over the goal line past Coreau, with assists going to Brett Perlini and Torey Krug.
MSU took its first lead of the night at 8:02 of the middle frame, a goal which would stand as the game-winner. Torey Krug's blast from the left point was saved by Coreau, and the bodies in front all jumped for the rebound. A crashing Brock Shelgren backhanded it from below the left hash mark for his third goal of the season.
MSU had chances in the third period, which was its best period of the weekend. The Spartans missed an opportunity for sure by not generating a goal despite extended power-play time, as back-to-back penalties - the first a major to Andrew Cherniwchan, followed by Seckel following him to the box. Despite not being able to add an insurance goal in the final frame, the Spartans were outstanding defensively, clogging passing lanes and blocking shots in their own end. Coreau - who was also impressive, with 28 saves - headed to the bench for the final minute of regulation. However, the Wildcats could not find any of the final-minute magic which saw them score in the final seconds of every period on Friday, and MSU held on for the win.
Michigan State sits in a tie for eighth place with Northern Michigan after this week's games, with 25 points. Michigan State is just three points behind third-place Lake Superior State, the team MSU hosts next weekend at Munn Ice Arena.
NOTES: The Spartans snapped a four-game winless streak overall and five-game winless streak in CCHA games ... MSU has allowed the first goal of the game in each of the last four contests ... The Spartans have not scored a power-play goal in their last five games, a total of 21 chances against ... MSU's penalty kill was a perfect 7-for-7 against Northern this weekend, and is now 81-for-91 (.890) on the season ...
