Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
1-3-0,0-0B1G
Boston University
3-3-0,1-0HockeyEast
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston University | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Michigan State | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Hockey Rallies to Top BU, 3-1
10/26/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Oct. 26, 2013
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State hockey team scored three goals in the final 4:56 of the third period to rally and defeat No. 13/14 Boston University, 3-1, on Saturday night at Munn Arena. Brent Darnell, Joe Cox and Greg Wolfe all scored in the final period as the Spartans picked up their first win of the season.
"I thought that was our best overall three-period effort," said MSU head coach Tom Anastos. "The way it was going, you were wondering if we were going to get the result we wanted. I was certainly very happy with our play."
The Spartans (1-3) pressed the Terriers (3-3) from the game's start and outshot them in each of the first two periods, but didn't have a goal to show for their efforts. MSU created several quality chances earlier in the game, but it was a puck directed toward the net from a bad angle that finally found its way past BU goaltender Sean Maguire. It was Darnell that grabbed the puck in the right corner near the goal line and wristed it toward the net, tying the game, 1-1, at the 15:04 mark of the third period.
"Our forecheck was good tonight and our pressure and speed really helped lead to offensive chances for us," said Darnell. "It was a good feeling to see that one go in the net."
Just 52 seconds later, Cox picked the perfect time to get his first-career goal. Good work behind the net by Dean Chelios forced the puck to the front, where Cox put it home to give MSU a 2-1 lead.
"The puck landed right on my stick and I was able to put it in," said Cox. "I just happened to be the guy that was in the right place at the right time."
Spartan goaltender Jake Hildebrand made several great stops in the final minute of the game after the Terriers pulled Maguire for the extra attacker. Wolfe sealed the victory with 4 seconds to play when he scored an empty-netter for his team-leading third goal of the season.
The Spartans finished with a 33-27 edge in shots.
Michigan State started the game with great pressure, outshooting the Terriers by a count of 11-3 through the first 19 minutes of the first period. But it was the fourth BU shot with 48 seconds to play in the opening period that beat Hildebrand and gave the Terriers the lead. The puck was poked loose in the neutral zone by BU and Cason Hohmann came away with it and headed down the right side. He then hit Matt Lane with a cross-ice pass, who beat Hildebrand on the short side.
"I was disappointed after the first period to have played as well as we did, but be down a goal," said Anastos. "But give our players credit, because they dealt with it and hung in there and just kept doing what we were trying to do. We talked about it all game, that once that first one goes in for us, hopefully that will really help our momentum and it seemed to do that."
Hildebrand finished with 26 saves in earning his first win of the season.
The Spartans will return to action at home again next weekend when they host American International on Friday, Nov. 1 and Sunday, Nov. 3.
