Michigan State University Athletics
Hockey Heads East For a Pair of Road Tests
10/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
| Game 3: Michigan State (1-1, 0-0 B1G) at No. 11/12 Boston University (1-0, 1-0 Hockey East) | |
| Date | Time | Fri., Oct. 24 | 7:30 p.m. |
| Location | Boston, Mass. | Agganis Arena (6,150) |
| Internet Video Stream | GoTerriers.com |
| Live Stats | |
| Radio | Spartan Sports Network (Listen Live) | WVFN 730-AM |
| Radio (Mobile) | Broadcast available on Spartan Sports Network Mobile App: iPhone/iPad | Android |
| Game Notes | BU | Michigan State |
| Social Media | @MSU_Hockey  | Facebook  |
| Game 4: Michigan State at No. 8/7 UMass-Lowell (2-0-1, 1-0 Hockey East) | |
| Date | Time | Sat., Oct. 25 | 7 p.m. |
| Location | Lowell, Mass. | Tsongas Center (6,111) |
| Internet Video Stream | GoRiverHawks.com |
| Live Stats | GoRiverHawks.com |
| Radio | Spartan Sports Network (Listen Live) | WVFN 730-AM |
| Radio (Mobile) | Broadcast available on Spartan Sports Network Mobile App: iPhone/iPad | Android |
| Game Notes | UMass-Lowell |
| Social Media | @MSU_Hockey | Facebook |
On The Fly...
• Friday's game against BU will mark the Spartans' first trip to Agganis Arena since Oct. 11, 2009 when they fell to the Terriers in the Ice Breaker Invitational, 2-1 ... Saturday's meeting with UMass-Lowell will be the 10th all-time between the schools and MSU's first trip to the Tsongas Center.
• Linemates Matt Berry, Michael Ferrantino and Mackenzie MacEachern combined for 14 (6g, 8a) of the Spartans' 20 total points in the season-opening series against Massachusetts ... It marked the first time in their careers that the trio played together as a line.
• Berry's six points (4g, 2a) over the weekend helped him earn Big Ten First Star of the Week honors for the second time in his career ... Berry last received the honor on March 18, 2014.• Berry's four goals are tied for fifth in the nation and his six points are tied for eighth ... Both totals lead the Big Ten and are the most of any player that has appeared in just two games.
• Ferrantino led MSU in the faceoff circle last season with a .539 win percentage and is off to solid start this season, going 33-18 (.647) to lead the Spartans.• The Spartans' eight goals over the weekend marked their highest two consecutive game total since scoring 12 (4-1, 8-2) vs. Princeton last season (Nov. 29, Dec. 1) ... The Spartans combined for at least eight goals in two consecutive games twice in 2013-14.
• The eight goals are the most for the Spartans in the first two games of the season since scoring a combined 10 vs. Clarkson in 2009 (6-1, 4-3).• Three freshmen - defensemen Josh Jacobs and Carson Gatt and forward Dylan Pavelek - made their collegiate debuts last weekend, while fellow rookie goaltender Ed Minney dressed as the backup ... Three true freshmen to play on opening night match the fewest since the 2011-12 opener (Tanner Sorenson, Brent Darnell, Justin Hoomaian) - Tom Anastos' first season.
Berry Starts Hot
With two goals in both of last weekend's games, Matt Berry has now scored eight goals in six games dating back to last season. Berry has five multi-goal games in his career, three of which have come in his last five games (March 14 v. Wisconsin, Oct. 17-18 v. UMass).
Berry was the Spartans' leading scorer in 2012-13 (15-16-31) and is the active career leader in goals (36), assists (31) and points (67).
More On The UMass Series...
Michigan State scored a goal in all six periods ... The Spartans outshot the Minutemen both nights (27-24 and 31-28) ... The five goals on Friday were the most in a season opener since a 6-1 win over Clarkson on Oct. 9, 2009 ... Matt DeBlouw's goal in the 5-3 win was his first since March 17, 2013 at Miami (Ohio) ... Six players finished the weekend plus-2 (Matt Berry, Michael Ferrantino, Mackenzie MacEachern, Travis Walsh, Ron Boyd, DeBlouw).
• Defeated UMass, 8-1, in its only game ... The Terriers led, 2-1, after two periods and exploded for six goals in the final stanza
• Topped the USNTDP U-18 team, 6-4, in an exhibition on Oct. 18
• Had six players with multiple points against UMass, led by freshman Jack Eichel (2-2-4)
UMass-Lowell...
• Has outscored its opponents by a 14-8 margin in going 2-0-1 in its first three games ... UML split with No. 15 Quinnipiac last weekend, winning at home, 6-3, and then tying on the road, 3-3 ... UML topped Boston College, 5-2, in its season opener at home
• Has 10 players with multiple points, including four defensemen.
Under head coach Tom Anastos, the Spartans are 40-6-4 (.840) when scoring three or more goals...MSU went 10-2 when scoring at least three goals last season.
Against Ranked Opponents in 2013-14
• MSU went 4-10-2 vs. ranked opponents, earning wins vs. No. 13/14 Boston University on Oct. 26 (3-1), No. 3 Michigan on Dec. 28 (3-0), No. 11/12 Michigan on March 8 (4-3), No. 5 Wisconsin on March 14 (5-4, OT) ... Four of the 10 losses were by just one goal and two others by two.
• Mike Ferrantino (5-3-8), Villiam Haag (5-3-8) and Matt Berry (5-1-6) led MSU in goals.
• In goal, Jake Hildebrand had a .912 save percentage and a 2.84 goals-against average.
Michigan State will play 20 of its 34 games against opponents ranked in the USCHO Top-20 Preseason Poll, which is the most of any Big Ten school. The Spartans will play 16 games against foes ranked in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Top-15 Preseason Coaches' Poll, which is the second most of any conference school behind Ohio State (17).
Hildebrand Named to the Richter Award Watch List
For the second straight year, junior Jake Hildebrand is one of 20 NCAA goaltenders that has been named to the Mike Richter Award Watch List, which honors the most outstanding goaltender in NCAA Division I hockey.
Goalies on the Mike Richter Award watch list are chosen by members of Let's Play Hockey magazine, utilizing both past performance and future potential. Candidates for the second-annual Mike Richter Award will be determined by nominations from all 59 NCAA Division I men's hockey head coaches. The finalists and winner are selected by a committee of coaches, scouts and members of the media. The winner will be announced at the 2015 NCAA Men's Frozen Four in Boston.
...Also on MSU's All-Time Shutout List
Jake Hildebrand's four career shutouts rank in a tie for 10th on MSU's all-time shutout list. He needs one to tie Joe Blackburn (1998-01) for ninth place. The Spartans' all-time leader in shutouts is also the NCAA career leader, Ryan Miller, who had 26 from 1999-02.
Both of this weekend's games are part of the second Big Ten-Hockey East Challenge. Nine of the 12 Hockey East institutions and five of the six Big Ten programs are competing in 20 designated games (10 in Big Ten arenas, 10 in Hockey East arenas) between Oct. 10 and Nov. 29.
A Big Ten/Hockey East Challenge Cup will be presented to the conference that records the most points from the 20 contests. Teams will earn two points for a win, one point for a tie and a bonus point will be awarded for a road win. Should a Big Ten school utilize a shootout in any of its home games, it will not factor into the result.
The Spartans' games at New Hampshire (Nov. 7-8) will also be a part of the Big Ten-Hockey East Challenge.The Big Ten currently leads the competition, 4-3-1, however, Hockey East leads in points, 10-9, as two points are awarded for a win, one point for a tie and a bonus point awarded for a road win.
Spartans in the NHLA total of 13 Spartans were on NHL opening night rosters and 12 have seen action so far this season: Torey Krug (Boston Bruins), Corey Potter (Calgary Flames - currently injured), John-Michael Liles (Carolina Hurricanes), Duncan Keith (Chicago Blackhawks), Corey Tropp (Columbus Blue Jackets), Shawn Horcoff (Dallas Stars), Justin Abdelkader and Drew Miller (Detroit Red Wings), Jeff Petry (Edmonton Oilers), Mike Weaver (Montreal Canadiens), Chris Mueller (New York Rangers), David Booth (Toronto Maple Leafs - currently injured), Ryan Miller (Vancouver Canucks) and Jim Slater (Winnipeg Jets).
