Michigan State University
Wisconsin
Keller, Hildebrand Push Spartans Past Wisconsin, 3-0
2/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
MADISON, Wisconsin - A pair of first-period goals by Ryan Keller and a 31-save shutout performance by goaltender Jake Hildebrand helped lead the Michigan State hockey team past Wisconsin, 3-0, on Saturday night at the Kohl Center. The Spartans are now 13-13-2 overall and their 7-5-2-2 record in the Big Ten moves them into a tie for second place in the league standings.
The shutout was Hildebrand's second in the last four games and fourth of the season.
"We played our game tonight from start to finish," MSU head coach Tom Anastos said. "I thought it was a very good rebound from last night and it was an important three points."
The Spartans jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a pair of goals by Keller in a span of 4:41 in the last half of the first period.
Travis Walsh and Michael Ferrantino combined to set up Keller's first goal at the 12:02 mark. UW goaltender Joel Rumpel stopped Walsh's initial attempt and Ferrantino put the rebound right back toward the crease for Keller. Keller ripped the puck into the upper corner for his first of the game.
Keller made it 2-0 4:41 later with a spin move in front that resulted in a backhand goal.
Ferrantino got the puck to Darnell in the left corner, who made a nice pass to Keller at the top of the crease. Keller collected the puck, spun to his backhand and slipped the puck along the ice under Rumpel.
"Darney had a good forecheck and gave me a little nod and it was a great pass," Keller said.
Joseph LaBate nearly made it a one-goal game less than five minutes into the second period when his wrister from inside the blue line beat Hildebrand but clanked off the right post and wide.
Both teams had a pair of power plays in the second period and generated a total of four shots apiece on the opportunities, but neither could find the back of the net.
Michigan State was eventually able to extend its lead to 3-0 with 15:03 to play in the third when linemates David Bondra and Joe Cox set up center Thomas Ebbing for his third goal of the season. Bondra got the puck to Cox behind the net, who fed Ebbing in front for the one-timer to Rumpel's left.
"That was a nice play and a huge goal," said Anastos.
The Spartans' league-leading penalty-kill unit extinguished all five Wisconsin power plays on the night.
Michigan State will head back on the road next weekend as it will travel to conference-leading Minnesota for a two-game series on Thursday and Friday.
