Neil’s Notebook: Lethemon Earns Third Shutout of the Season in Blanking Badgers
12/7/2019 9:01:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
By Neil Koepke
MSUSpartans.com staff writer
EAST LANSING – Four weeks ago, Michigan State shut out the highest-scoring team in the Big Ten – Penn State, 2-0.
On Friday night, the Spartans blanked the second-highest scoring team in the conference – Wisconsin, 3-0.
There were several common threads:
Superlative goaltending by MSU senior John Lethemon, combined with some very good puck luck.
Solid defense and sacrifices by defensemen and forwards alike.
Aggressive penalty killing in containing some of the best offensive players, not just in the Big Ten but in the nation.
Michigan State on Friday treated an engaged crowd of 6,007 at Munn Arena to a well-played, fast-paced series-opening victory, lifting the Spartans into third place in the Big Ten halting a two-game losing streak.
Unlike the 2-0 win at then-No. 6/6 Penn State on Nov. 8, in which MSU nursed a 1-0 lead late into the third period before clinching with an empty-net goal, Friday's game didn't have the same suspense.
The Spartans (7-7-1 overall, 5-3-1-0 Big Ten) were up 3-0 after two periods on defenseman Tommy Miller's first goal of the season midway through the first period, freshman left wing Joshua Jagger's first college goal six minutes into the second period and junior right wing Brody Stevens' second goal of the season with four minutes left in the middle period.
Still, Lethemon made 15 saves in the third period to preserve his Big Ten-leading third shutout of the season. In 60 minutes of work, he made 41 saves, including 17 in the first period.
It's the sixth game this season in which he's made more than 35 saves and second time he's stopped more than 40 shots.
"We were really focused and I'm proud of the way the guys battled for 60 minutes. Guys were selling out blocking shots,'' said Lethemon, 23, a 6-foot-2, 190-pounder from Northville, Mich. "We stayed composed when they were putting pressure on us. Sometimes we could have been caught running around but we kept our composure and made smart plays.''
Of course, the MSU defensive corps got help from Lethemon, who made several outstanding saves – one on a breakaway and a few from shots from close in. And he got help from a goalie's best friends -posts and crossbars. The Badgers hit three pipes – all by standout freshman Cole Caufield, the Big Ten's top goal scorer with 10.
"We definitely got some good bounces but credit the guys for battling in front of me and having good sticks in lanes and shutting them down there,'' Lethemon said. "Wisconsin comes at you in waves. It's not like they're coming down and getting one shot.
"They're getting multiple shots on you and they come at you fast, especially in the first period where they were getting chances in tight. It catches you by surprise with how quick they are.''
Michigan State will go for its second series sweep of the season when they meet the Badgers (7-9-1, 2-6-1-1) in the series finale at 7 p.m. Saturday at Munn Arena.
"Our guys battled hard. There's always ups and downs in a game but they stuck together, kept their disciple and did a lot of things really well,'' MSU coach Danton Cole said. "The thing I liked best was the battle and being comfortable playing the game regardless of where the score was and playing in the right way.''
A key segment in the game came in the last six minutes of the first period with MSU holding a 1-0 lead. Wisconsin went on the power play at 13:39. The Badgers zipped the puck around in the Spartan zone, setting up several quality scoring chances. Lethemon made some key saves, the puck bounced the Spartans' way and they survived the severe pressure.
"I thought in the first half of the first period we were really good and were jumping, moving the puck, hitting holes and getting open, and then they got the power play and got a bit of juice back and we seemed to be back on our heels,'' Cole said. "But John (Lethemon) probably made 4-5 big saves and kept it 1-0.''
Despite giving up 41 shots, Michigan State generated quality scoring chances in each period. In fact, the Spartans had a season-high 36 shots on goal with Patrick Khodorenko and linemate Sam Saliba and Stevens leading the way with four shots apiece.
Wisconsin starting goalie Daniel Lebedeff made 23 saves over two periods before being replaced by senior Jack Berry, who made 10 saves in the final period.
Michigan State's penalty killers – forwards Tommy Apap, Stevens, Saliba, Joshua and Khodorenko and defensemen Jerad Rosburg, Dennis Cesana, Butrus Ghafari and Miller – did an outstanding job of defending against the Badgers' dangerous power play. The Spartans killed off four power plays with Lethemon stopping eight shots.
"They do have a lot of offensive threats. But defense, penalty killing and having Johnny back help a lot,'' said Miller, who scored MSU's first goal at 8:11 of the first period, from low in the left circle after taking a perfect cross-ice pass from Logan Lambdin.
"It helps a lot to get that edge (of the first goal of the game) and get the energy going. It helps with confidence, gets fans into it, it's a little buffer and then you build on it. The second period goals from Brody and Jaggs really helped.''
For sure, the Spartans are built around responsible defense with a little more offensive feel this season. In the last six games MSU has given up eight goals – 0, 1, 2, 3, 2, 0 – and two were empty-net goals scored by Ohio State last weekend in 3-1 and 2-0 defeats in Columbus.
"We take a lot of pride in our defensive one play, and with our penalty killing,'' Miller said. 'We want to be strong in the D-zone and build from there. Everything we do (on defense) guides the team.''
Miller, a 6-foot-2, 193-pounder from West Bloomfield, is a strong, stay-at-home defender who has added an offensive touch this season. He's moving the puck well and setting up plays in the offensive zone. And he's anchoring the second power-play unit.
"I'm in my junior year and have more confidence with the puck. I've been playing in the same league and at the same pace for two years and the game has slowed down a little,'' Miller said. "Just with that confidence you can build off of things. Everyone has a lot of skill at this level and can make plays and having confidence helps with that.''
Michigan State has been in position to sweep series three times this season and twice lost the second game – at Northern Michigan to open the season and at Penn State – and captured one series finale – 3-0 vs. Michigan on Nov. 16.
Wisconsin has been swept only on time this season – at Penn State, 6-1, 4-2, on Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
Cole expects the Badgers to be better and play with desperation in their quest for a split in Saturday's rematch.
"I thought they played pretty well tonight. They're tough. It's hard to handle some of those guys,'' he said. "They had some good, open looks.
"My focus is I want us to be better tomorrow. The job half-done is not done. So, let's do it. We're at home for four games. We took care of the first one and gave ourselves a chance.
"Let's make sure we're better. We can limit some things. Defensively, we got caught on the wrong side of things. They got in behind us, which I don't like. So, let's be better tomorrow.''
Saturday's game is MSU's and Wisconsin's last Big Ten game before the holiday break. While the Badgers are idle next weekend, the Spartans will play a non-conference series against Arizona State on Saturday and Sunday and Munn Arena.
MOVING ON UP: With the victory, the Spartans climbed over Notre Dame and into third place in the Big Ten with 16 points, two behind Penn State and Ohio State, now tied for first place with 18 points apiece.
MSU is one point ahead of Notre Dame, which has played one fewer conference game than the other six teams.
Minnesota is fifth with 11 points, followed by Wisconsin with eight and Michigan in seventh place with seven points.
IN THE ZONE: John Lethemon continues to play at a high level, giving his team a chance to win almost every night.
He's started nine straight games and is playing as well or better as any goalie in the Big Ten and maybe right up there with the best in the nation.
Lethemon made 41 saves on Friday and earned his third shutout of the season and seventh of his career with a brilliant performance against a Wisconsin team loaded with elite-level forwards and defensemen.
Badger junior defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk had seven shots on goal, junior left wing Tarek Baker had five, sophomore defenseman K'Andre Miller and junior forward Sean Dhooghe each had four and heralded freshmen forwards Cole Caufield and Alex Turcotte and junior left wing Linus Weissbach each had three shots on Lethemon.
"I feel good. This is my fourth year playing at this level so I think I should be able to feel confident enough to go out and make some saves for my team,'' Lethemon said. "It definitely gives you confidence when you're making saves, and you kind of feel the puck is a little bigger than it actually is. But it doesn't really change things because you still have to take it shot-by-shot.''
Lethemon has given up only nine goals over the last seven games in which MSU is 5-2-1. He's lowered his goals-against to 1.86, which is the best in the Big Ten and 11th in the nation. His .946 saves percentage is No. 1 in the conference and No. 4 nationally, and with three shutouts, he's tied for second in the nation with Dryden McKay of Minnesota State. Boston College's Spencer Knight lead the NCAA with four shutouts.
Asked in Friday post-game press conference if Lethemon was the best goalie in college hockey, Cole said he didn't know if he was because he hasn't watched most of the other goaltenders.
"Statistically, he's in the mix. He's had some high-shot games and some shutouts and he's done really well,'' Cole said. "He's my favorite goalie, I guess.
"He's seeing the puck and I always think a goalie is having a good game when you never feel uncomfortable when (the game) is going on. Sometimes, goalies are swimming around making saves and you're like 'Oh my goodness, something's going to happen.'
"John was outstanding. He's been our best player and we need that.''
LIKEABLE LINES: Coach Danton Cole made a few changes to his forward lines on Saturday, moving Sam Saliba up with Patrick Khodorenko and Mitchell Lewandowski. Brody Stevens went back to his one-time spot on right wing with Tommy Apap and Gianluca Esteves.
Jagger Joshua joined Josh Nodler's line with Logan Lambdin and Goodsir centered Nico Muller on right wing and Jake Smith on left wing. Smith was making his third game of the season. Wojciech Stachowiak was the extra forward and saw ice time here and there.
Lewandowski, Khodorenko and Saliba unit didn't get a point but they played a strong game, combining for 10 shots on goal – four each by Khodorenko and Saliba and two by Lewandowski.
The Apap line made a strong impact, scoring MSU's all-important third goal late in the second period, giving the Spartans a 3-0. Apap and Stevens were solid as penalty killers and Apap's overall game was particularly outstanding.
"Tommy Apap is a warrior. He's had a long week with some things with family stuff. For that young man to play that well tonight was one of the more courageous things I've seen,'' MSU coach Danton Cole said. "He and Brody (Stevens) and whoever I throw on that line – tonight it was Gino (Esteves) - they're really good. They understand what they are what their strengths are. They play an important part – 5-on-5 and on the penalty kill.''
All in all, the Spartan coach liked all his line combinations, especially the play by Khodorenko, Lewandowski and Saliba.
"The Khodorenko wasn't on the scoresheet but they were outstanding. I thought Patty was a horse out there,'' Cole said. "For him to play at the next level, if he can play like that, he's got a chance. He's finishing checks, he's strong on the puck, defending well and winning draws.
"All of our lines did a decent job tonight.''
Cole said Saliba made a solid impact with Khodorenko and Lewandowski.
"He did a great job. He had tons of chances, two or three back-door and on a couple of rushes,'' the Spartan coach said. "He made plays and was finding holes. He gave them a good right winger, played hard and killed penalties. He had a great game.''
FIRST GOALS: All three MSU freshmen have goals after left wing Jagger Joshua scored the Spartans' second goal Saturday when he gave his team a 2-0 lead 6:21 into the second period. During a scramble in front of goalie Daniel Lebedeff, center Adam Goodsir's shot from the slot went wide to the right, hit the boards and bounced out front. Joshua was in the right spot at the right edge of the crease and tapped it in for his first collegiate goal.
In 15 games, Joshua, a physical-style forward and solid penalty killer, has a goal and two assists for three points. Freshman forward Nico Müller, who assisted on Joshua's goal, has two goals and four assists for six points and freshman center Josh Nodler has five points (2-3).
Defenseman Tommy Miller scored his first goal of the season and third of his career in the first period. He has one goal and four assists for five points.
IN THE BIG TEN: No. 7/8 Ohio State overcame a 2-1 deficit in the third period and scored with 25 seconds left in overtime to defeat Minnesota, 3-2, on Friday in Columbus. Quinn Preston beat goalie Jack LaFontaine from with a hard wrist shot on a rush into the left circle for the game-winner. Preston's shot rocketed over the LaFontaine's right shoulder.
The Buckeyes (10-4-1, 6-3-0), who have won four games in a row, saw a 1-0 lead disappear when the Gophers (5-9-3, 2-4-3-2) tied it at 18:25 of the second period on a goal by Robbie Stucker and went up 2-1 when Sampo Ranta beat goalie Tommy Nappier 1:43 into the third period.
But Carson Meyer tied it for OSU with 7:02 left, and just as it looked like the game was going to end in a tie, Preston rifled a shot past LaFontaine to spoil an otherwise solid performance by the Gophers, 0-3-1 in their last four games.
Michigan goalie Strauss Mann made 34 saves and the Wolverines upended No. 6/6 Penn State, 4-1, on Friday in Ann Arbor. U-M (6-9-2, 2-6-1-0) scored a shorthanded goal, an even-strength goal, a power-play goal and an empty-netter.
The Nittany Lions (11-5-0, 6-3-0), who have been shut out twice this season, avoided getting blanked again when Alex Limoges scored with 2:11 left.
In the first game of a non-conference, home-and-home series, No. 9/10 Notre Dame lost at No. 10/7 Boston College, 4-0. The Irish (8-5-2, 4-3-2-1) have lost four in a row and are 1-5-1 in their last seven games after starting the season 7-0-1. The teams complete their series on Sunday at Notre Dame.
MSUSpartans.com staff writer
EAST LANSING – Four weeks ago, Michigan State shut out the highest-scoring team in the Big Ten – Penn State, 2-0.
On Friday night, the Spartans blanked the second-highest scoring team in the conference – Wisconsin, 3-0.
There were several common threads:
Michigan State on Friday treated an engaged crowd of 6,007 at Munn Arena to a well-played, fast-paced series-opening victory, lifting the Spartans into third place in the Big Ten halting a two-game losing streak.
Unlike the 2-0 win at then-No. 6/6 Penn State on Nov. 8, in which MSU nursed a 1-0 lead late into the third period before clinching with an empty-net goal, Friday's game didn't have the same suspense.
The Spartans (7-7-1 overall, 5-3-1-0 Big Ten) were up 3-0 after two periods on defenseman Tommy Miller's first goal of the season midway through the first period, freshman left wing Joshua Jagger's first college goal six minutes into the second period and junior right wing Brody Stevens' second goal of the season with four minutes left in the middle period.
Still, Lethemon made 15 saves in the third period to preserve his Big Ten-leading third shutout of the season. In 60 minutes of work, he made 41 saves, including 17 in the first period.
It's the sixth game this season in which he's made more than 35 saves and second time he's stopped more than 40 shots.
"We were really focused and I'm proud of the way the guys battled for 60 minutes. Guys were selling out blocking shots,'' said Lethemon, 23, a 6-foot-2, 190-pounder from Northville, Mich. "We stayed composed when they were putting pressure on us. Sometimes we could have been caught running around but we kept our composure and made smart plays.''
Of course, the MSU defensive corps got help from Lethemon, who made several outstanding saves – one on a breakaway and a few from shots from close in. And he got help from a goalie's best friends -posts and crossbars. The Badgers hit three pipes – all by standout freshman Cole Caufield, the Big Ten's top goal scorer with 10.
"We definitely got some good bounces but credit the guys for battling in front of me and having good sticks in lanes and shutting them down there,'' Lethemon said. "Wisconsin comes at you in waves. It's not like they're coming down and getting one shot.
"They're getting multiple shots on you and they come at you fast, especially in the first period where they were getting chances in tight. It catches you by surprise with how quick they are.''
Michigan State will go for its second series sweep of the season when they meet the Badgers (7-9-1, 2-6-1-1) in the series finale at 7 p.m. Saturday at Munn Arena.
"Our guys battled hard. There's always ups and downs in a game but they stuck together, kept their disciple and did a lot of things really well,'' MSU coach Danton Cole said. "The thing I liked best was the battle and being comfortable playing the game regardless of where the score was and playing in the right way.''
A key segment in the game came in the last six minutes of the first period with MSU holding a 1-0 lead. Wisconsin went on the power play at 13:39. The Badgers zipped the puck around in the Spartan zone, setting up several quality scoring chances. Lethemon made some key saves, the puck bounced the Spartans' way and they survived the severe pressure.
"I thought in the first half of the first period we were really good and were jumping, moving the puck, hitting holes and getting open, and then they got the power play and got a bit of juice back and we seemed to be back on our heels,'' Cole said. "But John (Lethemon) probably made 4-5 big saves and kept it 1-0.''
Despite giving up 41 shots, Michigan State generated quality scoring chances in each period. In fact, the Spartans had a season-high 36 shots on goal with Patrick Khodorenko and linemate Sam Saliba and Stevens leading the way with four shots apiece.
Wisconsin starting goalie Daniel Lebedeff made 23 saves over two periods before being replaced by senior Jack Berry, who made 10 saves in the final period.
Michigan State's penalty killers – forwards Tommy Apap, Stevens, Saliba, Joshua and Khodorenko and defensemen Jerad Rosburg, Dennis Cesana, Butrus Ghafari and Miller – did an outstanding job of defending against the Badgers' dangerous power play. The Spartans killed off four power plays with Lethemon stopping eight shots.
"They do have a lot of offensive threats. But defense, penalty killing and having Johnny back help a lot,'' said Miller, who scored MSU's first goal at 8:11 of the first period, from low in the left circle after taking a perfect cross-ice pass from Logan Lambdin.
"It helps a lot to get that edge (of the first goal of the game) and get the energy going. It helps with confidence, gets fans into it, it's a little buffer and then you build on it. The second period goals from Brody and Jaggs really helped.''
For sure, the Spartans are built around responsible defense with a little more offensive feel this season. In the last six games MSU has given up eight goals – 0, 1, 2, 3, 2, 0 – and two were empty-net goals scored by Ohio State last weekend in 3-1 and 2-0 defeats in Columbus.
"We take a lot of pride in our defensive one play, and with our penalty killing,'' Miller said. 'We want to be strong in the D-zone and build from there. Everything we do (on defense) guides the team.''
Miller, a 6-foot-2, 193-pounder from West Bloomfield, is a strong, stay-at-home defender who has added an offensive touch this season. He's moving the puck well and setting up plays in the offensive zone. And he's anchoring the second power-play unit.
"I'm in my junior year and have more confidence with the puck. I've been playing in the same league and at the same pace for two years and the game has slowed down a little,'' Miller said. "Just with that confidence you can build off of things. Everyone has a lot of skill at this level and can make plays and having confidence helps with that.''
Michigan State has been in position to sweep series three times this season and twice lost the second game – at Northern Michigan to open the season and at Penn State – and captured one series finale – 3-0 vs. Michigan on Nov. 16.
Wisconsin has been swept only on time this season – at Penn State, 6-1, 4-2, on Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
Cole expects the Badgers to be better and play with desperation in their quest for a split in Saturday's rematch.
"I thought they played pretty well tonight. They're tough. It's hard to handle some of those guys,'' he said. "They had some good, open looks.
"My focus is I want us to be better tomorrow. The job half-done is not done. So, let's do it. We're at home for four games. We took care of the first one and gave ourselves a chance.
"Let's make sure we're better. We can limit some things. Defensively, we got caught on the wrong side of things. They got in behind us, which I don't like. So, let's be better tomorrow.''
Saturday's game is MSU's and Wisconsin's last Big Ten game before the holiday break. While the Badgers are idle next weekend, the Spartans will play a non-conference series against Arizona State on Saturday and Sunday and Munn Arena.
MOVING ON UP: With the victory, the Spartans climbed over Notre Dame and into third place in the Big Ten with 16 points, two behind Penn State and Ohio State, now tied for first place with 18 points apiece.
MSU is one point ahead of Notre Dame, which has played one fewer conference game than the other six teams.
Minnesota is fifth with 11 points, followed by Wisconsin with eight and Michigan in seventh place with seven points.
IN THE ZONE: John Lethemon continues to play at a high level, giving his team a chance to win almost every night.
He's started nine straight games and is playing as well or better as any goalie in the Big Ten and maybe right up there with the best in the nation.
Lethemon made 41 saves on Friday and earned his third shutout of the season and seventh of his career with a brilliant performance against a Wisconsin team loaded with elite-level forwards and defensemen.
Badger junior defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk had seven shots on goal, junior left wing Tarek Baker had five, sophomore defenseman K'Andre Miller and junior forward Sean Dhooghe each had four and heralded freshmen forwards Cole Caufield and Alex Turcotte and junior left wing Linus Weissbach each had three shots on Lethemon.
"I feel good. This is my fourth year playing at this level so I think I should be able to feel confident enough to go out and make some saves for my team,'' Lethemon said. "It definitely gives you confidence when you're making saves, and you kind of feel the puck is a little bigger than it actually is. But it doesn't really change things because you still have to take it shot-by-shot.''
Lethemon has given up only nine goals over the last seven games in which MSU is 5-2-1. He's lowered his goals-against to 1.86, which is the best in the Big Ten and 11th in the nation. His .946 saves percentage is No. 1 in the conference and No. 4 nationally, and with three shutouts, he's tied for second in the nation with Dryden McKay of Minnesota State. Boston College's Spencer Knight lead the NCAA with four shutouts.
Asked in Friday post-game press conference if Lethemon was the best goalie in college hockey, Cole said he didn't know if he was because he hasn't watched most of the other goaltenders.
"Statistically, he's in the mix. He's had some high-shot games and some shutouts and he's done really well,'' Cole said. "He's my favorite goalie, I guess.
"He's seeing the puck and I always think a goalie is having a good game when you never feel uncomfortable when (the game) is going on. Sometimes, goalies are swimming around making saves and you're like 'Oh my goodness, something's going to happen.'
"John was outstanding. He's been our best player and we need that.''
LIKEABLE LINES: Coach Danton Cole made a few changes to his forward lines on Saturday, moving Sam Saliba up with Patrick Khodorenko and Mitchell Lewandowski. Brody Stevens went back to his one-time spot on right wing with Tommy Apap and Gianluca Esteves.
Jagger Joshua joined Josh Nodler's line with Logan Lambdin and Goodsir centered Nico Muller on right wing and Jake Smith on left wing. Smith was making his third game of the season. Wojciech Stachowiak was the extra forward and saw ice time here and there.
Lewandowski, Khodorenko and Saliba unit didn't get a point but they played a strong game, combining for 10 shots on goal – four each by Khodorenko and Saliba and two by Lewandowski.
The Apap line made a strong impact, scoring MSU's all-important third goal late in the second period, giving the Spartans a 3-0. Apap and Stevens were solid as penalty killers and Apap's overall game was particularly outstanding.
"Tommy Apap is a warrior. He's had a long week with some things with family stuff. For that young man to play that well tonight was one of the more courageous things I've seen,'' MSU coach Danton Cole said. "He and Brody (Stevens) and whoever I throw on that line – tonight it was Gino (Esteves) - they're really good. They understand what they are what their strengths are. They play an important part – 5-on-5 and on the penalty kill.''
All in all, the Spartan coach liked all his line combinations, especially the play by Khodorenko, Lewandowski and Saliba.
"The Khodorenko wasn't on the scoresheet but they were outstanding. I thought Patty was a horse out there,'' Cole said. "For him to play at the next level, if he can play like that, he's got a chance. He's finishing checks, he's strong on the puck, defending well and winning draws.
"All of our lines did a decent job tonight.''
Cole said Saliba made a solid impact with Khodorenko and Lewandowski.
"He did a great job. He had tons of chances, two or three back-door and on a couple of rushes,'' the Spartan coach said. "He made plays and was finding holes. He gave them a good right winger, played hard and killed penalties. He had a great game.''
FIRST GOALS: All three MSU freshmen have goals after left wing Jagger Joshua scored the Spartans' second goal Saturday when he gave his team a 2-0 lead 6:21 into the second period. During a scramble in front of goalie Daniel Lebedeff, center Adam Goodsir's shot from the slot went wide to the right, hit the boards and bounced out front. Joshua was in the right spot at the right edge of the crease and tapped it in for his first collegiate goal.
In 15 games, Joshua, a physical-style forward and solid penalty killer, has a goal and two assists for three points. Freshman forward Nico Müller, who assisted on Joshua's goal, has two goals and four assists for six points and freshman center Josh Nodler has five points (2-3).
Defenseman Tommy Miller scored his first goal of the season and third of his career in the first period. He has one goal and four assists for five points.
IN THE BIG TEN: No. 7/8 Ohio State overcame a 2-1 deficit in the third period and scored with 25 seconds left in overtime to defeat Minnesota, 3-2, on Friday in Columbus. Quinn Preston beat goalie Jack LaFontaine from with a hard wrist shot on a rush into the left circle for the game-winner. Preston's shot rocketed over the LaFontaine's right shoulder.
The Buckeyes (10-4-1, 6-3-0), who have won four games in a row, saw a 1-0 lead disappear when the Gophers (5-9-3, 2-4-3-2) tied it at 18:25 of the second period on a goal by Robbie Stucker and went up 2-1 when Sampo Ranta beat goalie Tommy Nappier 1:43 into the third period.
But Carson Meyer tied it for OSU with 7:02 left, and just as it looked like the game was going to end in a tie, Preston rifled a shot past LaFontaine to spoil an otherwise solid performance by the Gophers, 0-3-1 in their last four games.
Michigan goalie Strauss Mann made 34 saves and the Wolverines upended No. 6/6 Penn State, 4-1, on Friday in Ann Arbor. U-M (6-9-2, 2-6-1-0) scored a shorthanded goal, an even-strength goal, a power-play goal and an empty-netter.
The Nittany Lions (11-5-0, 6-3-0), who have been shut out twice this season, avoided getting blanked again when Alex Limoges scored with 2:11 left.
In the first game of a non-conference, home-and-home series, No. 9/10 Notre Dame lost at No. 10/7 Boston College, 4-0. The Irish (8-5-2, 4-3-2-1) have lost four in a row and are 1-5-1 in their last seven games after starting the season 7-0-1. The teams complete their series on Sunday at Notre Dame.
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