Michigan State University
5-9-2, 1-2-0-0
Wisconsin
3-7-5, 0-2-1-0
Spartans Rally To Top Wisconsin, 4-3
12/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
EAST LANSING - The Michigan State hockey team rallied from two, two-goal deficits to defeat Wisconsin, 4-3, on Friday night at Munn Ice Arena. Justin Hoomaian broke a 3-3 tie with a breakaway goal with 3:13 to play in the third period, giving the Spartans (5-9-2, 1-2-0-0) their first Big Ten victory.
"We needed to find a way to win and we found a way to win," said MSU head coach Tom Anastos.
Ten different Spartans registered a point, led by freshmen Zach Osburn (two assists) and Brennan Sanford (goal, assist).
"We got contributions up and down the lineup, which was a positive," said Anastos.
With the game tied, 3-3, the two teams played a back-and-forth third period, both generating quality chances off extended time in each other's zones. Finally, Hoomaian broke the tie with just over three minutes to play.
The senior forward picked up a pass from Sanford in the neutral zone and made a move around a Badger defender before beating Wisconsin goalie Matt Jurusik for the goal. It was Hoomaian's first goal of the season.
"That was nice to see it go in and it came at the right time," said Anastos.
Jake Hildebrand earned the win for the Spartans, stopping 30 of 33 Badger shots.
Will Johnson gave Wisconsin a 1-0 lead with 9:03 to play in the first period, jumping on a loose puck in the slot and muscling it past Hildebrand.
The Badgers (3-7-5, 0-2-1-0) upped their lead to 2-0 courtesy of a 3-on-1 that Jake Linhart finished off with 3:18 to play in the first.
The Spartans responded however, converting on their own odd-man rush just 31 seconds after the Linhart goal, making it a 2-1 game.
Matt DeBlouw and Sanford sped into the UW zone and it was Sanford that perfectly one-timed DeBlouw's pass upstairs, over the glove of Jurusik.
Wisconsin's Matthew Freytag pushed the Badger lead to 3-1 with a redirection seconds after a UW power play expired at the 11:07 mark of the second period. But, like the first period, it didn't remain a two-goal game for long as Travis Walsh responded 48 seconds later to make it 3-2.
Walsh took the puck from Osburn at the right point and wristed it toward the net where it floated past Jurusik.
"That was important," said Anastos of the Spartans' quick response. "We did that earlier this season in games and haven't done it of late. When you can answer and maybe take that momentum back, it's very helpful."
Michael Ferrantino pulled the Spartans even at the 16:07 mark of the second period, jamming home a puck from under Jurusik's reach at the top of the left side of the crease.
MSU went 0-for-1 on the power play and killed both UW power plays, including 5-minute major penalty to JT Stenglein, the majority of which came in the opening minutes of the third period.
The Spartans and Badgers will meet again Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Munn Ice Arena.
