Michigan State University Athletics
Michigan State University
7-6-0, 1-4-0-0B1G
Penn State
8-7-0, 3-4-0-0B1G
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan State | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Penn State | 4 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
Spartans' Winning Streak Halted at Penn State
11/24/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State stopped the Michigan State hockey team's three-game winning streak, topping the Spartans, 7-2, on Friday night at Pegula Ice Arena. The Nittany Lions jumped on the Spartans with four first-period goals, including two in the opening 2:13.
"Our better players have to be better right from the get-go," MSU head coach Danton Cole said. "We're not a team that can have very many guys, if any, have off nights or feel their way through a game. You're not going to feel your way through a game with Penn State, they're going to come out and come at you hard. If you're not ready, then that's a mental issue. We have to learn a lot form that and get back on the horse tomorrow."
Defenseman Kris Myllari got the first Penn State goal at the 1:00 mark of the opening period, with a shot from the left point. A delayed penalty to the Spartans during the Myllari goal set up the second PSU tally. On the ensuing power play, Andrew Sturtz found an open Evan Barratt in front for a one-timer to make it 2-0.
The Spartans (7-6, 1-4 Big Ten) cut the deficit in half at the 7:35 mark. Patrick Khodorenko beat a Penn State defenseman to the puck in the left corner and fed Taro Hirose, whose shot got past Peyton Jones up high for his fourth goal of the season.
Liam Folkes got the goal back for Penn State (8-7, 3-4) less than a minute later with a shot from low in the left circle.
The Spartans had a pair of breakaway chances in the opening period and Jones denied both. Unfortunately for MSU, Sam Sternschein converted on the Nittany Lions' only breakaway to make it 4-1 with 1:58 to go in the first.
Sternschein got his second straight, capping a 2-on-1, 53 seconds into the second period.
Brennan Sanford, who was stopped in the first period on a breakaway, made good on his second chance at the 12:45 mark of the second. Tommy Apap sprung Sanford loose and beat Jones with a low shot for his second goal in as many games.
Penn State didn't let the Spartans get any momentum off the goal as Folkes got his second of the game less than two minutes later, making it 6-2.
Sturtz capped the scoring, making it 7-2 with 5:58 to go.
John Lethemon started in goal for MSU but was replaced by Ed Minney after the third Penn State goal. Minney played the final 51:36 and made 25 saves.
The two teams will complete the weekend series on Saturday at 8 p.m.
