Michigan State University Athletics
Neil’s Notebook: Familiar Foe Penn State Up Next for Spartans
1/14/2021 12:25:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
By Neil Koepke
MSUSpartans.com staff writer
EAST LANSING – Over the next two weekends, Michigan State will compete against two teams it has already played – splitting both series – and battling for position in the Big Ten standings.
What the Spartans need in the upcoming weeks to move up in the conference race is to put together a sweep or two.
For sure, easier said than done. But MSU has shown it can beat the likes of seventh-place Penn State, third-place Ohio State, fourth-place Notre Dame and even Michigan, which is tied with the Spartans for fifth place.
This weekend, Michigan State (5-5-2 overall, 4-5-1-1-0-0, 11 points Big Ten) plays at Penn State (3-7-0, 5-7-0-0-0-0, 9 points) at 6 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday at Pegula Arena.
The teams split their first series 10-11 days ago at Munn Arena – a 1-0 Nittany Lions' win the first game and a 5-1 MSU victory in the series finale.
Next weekend, the Spartans play host to Ohio State in a Saturday-Sunday series. The teams split over Thanksgiving weekend in Columbus with Michigan State winning 3-2 in overtime in the series opener and the Buckeyes pulling out a 4-2 victory in the second game.
A MSU sweep over PSU would boost its lead over the Nittany Lions to 8 points and maybe gain on Ohio State (13 points), which plays at Michigan, and Notre Dame (12 points), which visits No. 1 Minnesota.
"I think we do need to sweep some weekend (series). We need to win both games,'' MSU junior defenseman Christian Krygier said. "It's always hard when you win the first game and lose the second or lose the first and win the second.
"It sets you back in the spot (in the standings) you're already in. We need to win the first night and come out strong the next night and get two wins so that we can move up the ladder.''
Coach Danton Cole agrees that the Spartans need a few six-point weekends and go on a run to put themselves in position for a second- or third-place finish. But he's not emphasizing sweeps and is dwelling on the process – win the first game first, then focus on the second game.
"You want to pile up wins but the way we've always approached it is it's the next game that you have to take care of,'' Cole said "We can't win (both) Friday and Saturday games on Friday night. If you start doing that, you get a little bit ahead of yourself.
"Last year we found that a couple sweeps gives you separation, but we also know that if you win the first one, the second one is really hard and you have to be prepared. But let's put ourselves in position to play a good game on Friday and be ready at puck drop the next game.
"We don't want our guys looking too far ahead. If we tell them not to do it and we do it, it's probably not the best approach for us.''
In six series this season, Michigan State has split three (Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan), won and tied in two series (Arizona State, Notre Dame) and got swept in one series (Minnesota).
With the Gophers (11-1-0, 9-1-0 Big Ten), who lost their first game last Saturday at Wisconsin, holding an 8-point lead and likely headed to the regular-season title, the race for second and third places is wide open.
Sweeping series, avoid getting swept by coming away with splits or a win and a tie – and maybe even a shootout win or two – is a formula for a high finish in the standings.
"The way the Big Ten is set up right now, these games are all important. There's a lot of teams bunched up with the exception of Minnesota,'' Cole said. "Were going into Penn State and they had a good split at Ohio State and we had a split with Michigan. It feels like a playoff weekend every week.''
So, once again, handling Penn State's swarming offense, highlighted by tons of shots on goal, is Michigan State's challenge.
The Spartans held the Nittany Lions to one goal in each game of their series split two weeks ago. That's never happened in 16 two-game series against Penn State.
MSU would love to do it again. Christian Krygier likes the idea.
"Yeah, I don't like to be scored against,'' he said.
Of course, that might too much to ask. As long as the they come away with more goals than the Nittany Lions each night, the Spartans will be happy.
"We just need to play our style. They play a pretty rambunctious and crazy game on offense,'' Krygier said. "Their style is pretty hectic and they create a lot of commotion all over the ice. So, we have to settle down, play our game, play our systems.''
The Spartans played well defensively in the 1-0 loss to PSU but couldn't finish a few good scoring opportunities. The second game was different. MSU scored two goals in the first five minutes, took a 3-1 lead midway through the second period and added two goals, including an empty-netter, in the third period
"It's nice to be able to play a team, then get a week off (from them) and then go right back at it against them,'' Krygier said. "We're familiar with them. But we have to continue how we left off in that second game. They'll be remembering too, but we have to remember how we played.
"We had everyone going, doing what had to be done. All five guys working together. We haven't seen that this year with all cylinders rolling and every line going.''
THE RIVALRY: Here's an interesting statistic – Michigan State and Penn State have split their last six series, starting with two games at Munn Arena on Feb. 16-17, 2018.
The teams then split two series in 2018-19, two in 2019-20, and the last meeting two weeks ago at Munn Arena.
Overall, the Nittany Lions lead the series 14-10-4, thanks to an 8-1-2 run from December, 2015, through November, 2017 – a two-and-a-half season stretch.
Last season, the Spartans won 2-0 and lost 6-4 at Penn State in November and lost 2-1 in overtime and won 4-2 at Munn Arena in January.
SCOUTING THE NITTANY LIONS: Penn State started the season 0-5 before blitzing Michigan, 9-5, to salvage a split in early December. PSU put together a four-game winning streak before the 5-1 loss at Michigan State.
Last weekend at Ohio State, the Nittany Lions lost 6-3, giving up two empty-net goals, and won 5-2. So, after they scored two goals in the split at MSU, they got things going offensively a week later with eight goals against the Buckeyes, although the last two were empty netters, sealing a close game.
"They generate a lot offensively. They get a lot of pucks to the net and really come at you hard,'' MSU coach Danton Cole. "Playing at Penn State, I know there's no crowds this year and that makes it a little different. But it's a fast rink and the puck gets around the rink quickly, and at home they play faster.
"The biggest thing is to make sure we're ready to match that speed and intensity and not get caught watching.''
Alex Limoges, a senior left wing from Winchester, Virginia, is Penn State's top scoring threat. He has a team-leading seven goals and four assists for 11 points. In 118 career games, Limoges has 48 goals, 66 assists and 114 points.
Limoges is the Nittany Lions' 7th all-time leading scorer, and only 15 points away from moving into the No. 2 spot.
Sophomore Kevin Wall shares the team scoring lead with Limoges with 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists).
Junior goalie Oskar Autio, who shut out MSU two weeks ago, was in goal for both games at Ohio State last weekend. He has a 4-4 record, 3.25 goals-against average and a .878 saves percentage.
Freshman Liam Souliere is 1-3 with a 4.37 GAA and a .850 saves percentage. Souliere gave up four goals in PSU's loss at MSU.
COMBS DELIVERS: Charlie Combs was looking for a good team and the right fit in which to play his final season of college hockey. It looks like he found it.
After playing three years at Bemidji State in northern Minnesota, Combs decided to enter the transfer portal as a graduate student. He looked around, was contacted by Michigan State and liked what he heard and learned about the Spartans' program.
Combs, 24, who had 12 goals and 18 points in 33 games last year, decided MSU was the place to be.
"With everything with Covid, I had time to reflect on my progress during my college hockey career and thought it would be better to get in the portal and try to find a better fit for my last year,'' said Combs, a 5-foot-6, 181-pound forward from St. Louis.
"The constant communication and easy connection with the coaching staff were definitely comforting and the right fit.''
In three seasons at Bemidji, Combs scored 36 goals, had 24 assists and 60 points in 108 games.
This season, Combs has been one of MSU's best offensive players through the first 12 games. He has a team-leading 4 goals and is tied for second in points with 7.
Combs is playing on the Spartans' top scoring line on left wing with sophomore Josh Nodler at center and senior Mitchell Lewandowski on right wing.
"Those are two great hockey players and they're easy to play with,'' Combs said of his linemates. "I think it was an easy connection because of the way we play, how we think the game and how hard we work. I'm excited to keep it going.''
Combs scored Michigan State's first goal in last Saturday's 3-2 come-from-behind win over Michigan, and was on the ice with his linemates when Nodler scored the game-winning goal. He has a knack for getting open for passes and releasing his shot quickly.
"I like his energy and passion. He plays the game hard, goes to the hard spots and shoots the puck – things you like about hockey players,'' Coach Danton Cole said. "Playing with Lewie and Nodler, they can make plays in tight areas, tight spaces.
"One thing that Charlie does – and good goal scorers are like this – is he finds himself in the right spots. He can get to those spots and that's what both Josh and Lewie can do, too. They can find guys and make plays.
"That's a good line. They're dangerous. We play them against the other teams' top lines and they're fine with matching up on the road.''
The Spartans coach said he's looked into the transfer portal before but didn't get involved in pursuing a player until at the end of last season.
"One thing Coach (Chris) Luongo and (Coach) Exter and I are really concerned about is bringing in someone that isn't part of your culture and for three or four years, hasn't been through it and they're coming in for a year,'' Cole said. "It's making sure that they're the right kind of guy that can fit into your room.''
The coaches believed Combs would fit in and be accepted by his new teammates.
"Charlie's name came up, we talked to him and found out a bit about him and he just seemed, from a cultural standpoint, a good fit,'' Cole said. "He loves hockey, he likes to work, and likes being around the rink and was a good guy in the room. He's been all of those things for us.''
Combs said he picked up his love for hockey by going to his brother's youth hockey games in St. Louis and junior games in Michigan. Jack Combs is eight years older than Charlie, who said he was always talking hockey with his brother, and later, asking him for tips as Charlie's career started to take shape.
Jack played five years of Major Junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League, the last four with the Saginaw Spirit, and then embarked on an 11-year pro career in the minor leagues, including the last five in Europe.
"We're constantly in communication about how we're doing and what we need to work on,'' Charlie said "Over the summer, it's us pushing each other working out. It's truly awesome.''
Before playing at Bemidji State, Charlie played three seasons of junior hockey in the North American Hockey League, U.S. Hockey League and British Columbia Junior Hockey League. In his last season, with the Wenatchee (Wash.) Wild (BCJHL), Combs scored 51 goals and 84 points in 58 games.
"He brings a lot of experience,'' MSU junior defenseman Christian Krygier said. "He's been around the game a long time. He's an older guy and has a lot of experience with a lot of different leagues before college and then a lot at Bemidji.
"He's shedding his knowledge on us and has been really good. He's putting up points and contributing.''
Said Cole, "He's got a good professionalism about him. He comes to the rink and he works and has fun. The guys like him. He's a fun young man to coach.''
STATS REPORT: The Spartans have five players with 7 points or more. Center Josh Nodler leads with 1 goal and 7 assists for 8 points while linemates Charlie Combs (4-3) and Mitchell Lewandowski (3-4) are tied for second with defenseman Dennis Cesana (1-6) and center Nico Muller (1-6) with 7 points apiece.
Goalie Drew DeRidder is 5-5-2 with a 2.03 goals-against average and a .940 saves percentage.
Meanwhile, in the Big Ten, Michigan freshman Kent Johnson is the top scorer with 15 points – 3 goals and 12 assists. Cole Caufield of Wisconsin is second with 14 points (7-7) and his teammate, Linus Weissbach, follows with 13 (6-7).
Minnesota goalie Jack LaFontaine leads the conference with a 1.28 goals-against average and a .955 saves percentage. DeRidder is second in both categories.
IN THE BIG TEN: In addition to the MSU at Penn State series, No. 1 Minnesota (11-1-0, 9-1-0) is home against Notre Dame (5-6-1, 3-4-1-0-1-1), Ohio State (4-7-1, 4-6-0-0-1-0) is at No. 9/10 Michigan (6-6-0, 4-6-0-1-0-0), and in non-conference play, Arizona State (5-9-2) visits No. 14/14 Wisconsin (6-6-0, 6-4-0-0-1-0). All are Friday-Saturday series.
MSUSpartans.com staff writer
EAST LANSING – Over the next two weekends, Michigan State will compete against two teams it has already played – splitting both series – and battling for position in the Big Ten standings.
What the Spartans need in the upcoming weeks to move up in the conference race is to put together a sweep or two.
For sure, easier said than done. But MSU has shown it can beat the likes of seventh-place Penn State, third-place Ohio State, fourth-place Notre Dame and even Michigan, which is tied with the Spartans for fifth place.
This weekend, Michigan State (5-5-2 overall, 4-5-1-1-0-0, 11 points Big Ten) plays at Penn State (3-7-0, 5-7-0-0-0-0, 9 points) at 6 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday at Pegula Arena.
The teams split their first series 10-11 days ago at Munn Arena – a 1-0 Nittany Lions' win the first game and a 5-1 MSU victory in the series finale.
Next weekend, the Spartans play host to Ohio State in a Saturday-Sunday series. The teams split over Thanksgiving weekend in Columbus with Michigan State winning 3-2 in overtime in the series opener and the Buckeyes pulling out a 4-2 victory in the second game.
A MSU sweep over PSU would boost its lead over the Nittany Lions to 8 points and maybe gain on Ohio State (13 points), which plays at Michigan, and Notre Dame (12 points), which visits No. 1 Minnesota.
"I think we do need to sweep some weekend (series). We need to win both games,'' MSU junior defenseman Christian Krygier said. "It's always hard when you win the first game and lose the second or lose the first and win the second.
"It sets you back in the spot (in the standings) you're already in. We need to win the first night and come out strong the next night and get two wins so that we can move up the ladder.''
Coach Danton Cole agrees that the Spartans need a few six-point weekends and go on a run to put themselves in position for a second- or third-place finish. But he's not emphasizing sweeps and is dwelling on the process – win the first game first, then focus on the second game.
"You want to pile up wins but the way we've always approached it is it's the next game that you have to take care of,'' Cole said "We can't win (both) Friday and Saturday games on Friday night. If you start doing that, you get a little bit ahead of yourself.
"Last year we found that a couple sweeps gives you separation, but we also know that if you win the first one, the second one is really hard and you have to be prepared. But let's put ourselves in position to play a good game on Friday and be ready at puck drop the next game.
"We don't want our guys looking too far ahead. If we tell them not to do it and we do it, it's probably not the best approach for us.''
In six series this season, Michigan State has split three (Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan), won and tied in two series (Arizona State, Notre Dame) and got swept in one series (Minnesota).
With the Gophers (11-1-0, 9-1-0 Big Ten), who lost their first game last Saturday at Wisconsin, holding an 8-point lead and likely headed to the regular-season title, the race for second and third places is wide open.
Sweeping series, avoid getting swept by coming away with splits or a win and a tie – and maybe even a shootout win or two – is a formula for a high finish in the standings.
"The way the Big Ten is set up right now, these games are all important. There's a lot of teams bunched up with the exception of Minnesota,'' Cole said. "Were going into Penn State and they had a good split at Ohio State and we had a split with Michigan. It feels like a playoff weekend every week.''
So, once again, handling Penn State's swarming offense, highlighted by tons of shots on goal, is Michigan State's challenge.
The Spartans held the Nittany Lions to one goal in each game of their series split two weeks ago. That's never happened in 16 two-game series against Penn State.
MSU would love to do it again. Christian Krygier likes the idea.
"Yeah, I don't like to be scored against,'' he said.
Of course, that might too much to ask. As long as the they come away with more goals than the Nittany Lions each night, the Spartans will be happy.
"We just need to play our style. They play a pretty rambunctious and crazy game on offense,'' Krygier said. "Their style is pretty hectic and they create a lot of commotion all over the ice. So, we have to settle down, play our game, play our systems.''
The Spartans played well defensively in the 1-0 loss to PSU but couldn't finish a few good scoring opportunities. The second game was different. MSU scored two goals in the first five minutes, took a 3-1 lead midway through the second period and added two goals, including an empty-netter, in the third period
"It's nice to be able to play a team, then get a week off (from them) and then go right back at it against them,'' Krygier said. "We're familiar with them. But we have to continue how we left off in that second game. They'll be remembering too, but we have to remember how we played.
"We had everyone going, doing what had to be done. All five guys working together. We haven't seen that this year with all cylinders rolling and every line going.''
THE RIVALRY: Here's an interesting statistic – Michigan State and Penn State have split their last six series, starting with two games at Munn Arena on Feb. 16-17, 2018.
The teams then split two series in 2018-19, two in 2019-20, and the last meeting two weeks ago at Munn Arena.
Overall, the Nittany Lions lead the series 14-10-4, thanks to an 8-1-2 run from December, 2015, through November, 2017 – a two-and-a-half season stretch.
Last season, the Spartans won 2-0 and lost 6-4 at Penn State in November and lost 2-1 in overtime and won 4-2 at Munn Arena in January.
SCOUTING THE NITTANY LIONS: Penn State started the season 0-5 before blitzing Michigan, 9-5, to salvage a split in early December. PSU put together a four-game winning streak before the 5-1 loss at Michigan State.
Last weekend at Ohio State, the Nittany Lions lost 6-3, giving up two empty-net goals, and won 5-2. So, after they scored two goals in the split at MSU, they got things going offensively a week later with eight goals against the Buckeyes, although the last two were empty netters, sealing a close game.
"They generate a lot offensively. They get a lot of pucks to the net and really come at you hard,'' MSU coach Danton Cole. "Playing at Penn State, I know there's no crowds this year and that makes it a little different. But it's a fast rink and the puck gets around the rink quickly, and at home they play faster.
"The biggest thing is to make sure we're ready to match that speed and intensity and not get caught watching.''
Alex Limoges, a senior left wing from Winchester, Virginia, is Penn State's top scoring threat. He has a team-leading seven goals and four assists for 11 points. In 118 career games, Limoges has 48 goals, 66 assists and 114 points.
Limoges is the Nittany Lions' 7th all-time leading scorer, and only 15 points away from moving into the No. 2 spot.
Sophomore Kevin Wall shares the team scoring lead with Limoges with 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists).
Junior goalie Oskar Autio, who shut out MSU two weeks ago, was in goal for both games at Ohio State last weekend. He has a 4-4 record, 3.25 goals-against average and a .878 saves percentage.
Freshman Liam Souliere is 1-3 with a 4.37 GAA and a .850 saves percentage. Souliere gave up four goals in PSU's loss at MSU.
COMBS DELIVERS: Charlie Combs was looking for a good team and the right fit in which to play his final season of college hockey. It looks like he found it.
After playing three years at Bemidji State in northern Minnesota, Combs decided to enter the transfer portal as a graduate student. He looked around, was contacted by Michigan State and liked what he heard and learned about the Spartans' program.
Combs, 24, who had 12 goals and 18 points in 33 games last year, decided MSU was the place to be.
"With everything with Covid, I had time to reflect on my progress during my college hockey career and thought it would be better to get in the portal and try to find a better fit for my last year,'' said Combs, a 5-foot-6, 181-pound forward from St. Louis.
"The constant communication and easy connection with the coaching staff were definitely comforting and the right fit.''
In three seasons at Bemidji, Combs scored 36 goals, had 24 assists and 60 points in 108 games.
This season, Combs has been one of MSU's best offensive players through the first 12 games. He has a team-leading 4 goals and is tied for second in points with 7.
Combs is playing on the Spartans' top scoring line on left wing with sophomore Josh Nodler at center and senior Mitchell Lewandowski on right wing.
"Those are two great hockey players and they're easy to play with,'' Combs said of his linemates. "I think it was an easy connection because of the way we play, how we think the game and how hard we work. I'm excited to keep it going.''
Combs scored Michigan State's first goal in last Saturday's 3-2 come-from-behind win over Michigan, and was on the ice with his linemates when Nodler scored the game-winning goal. He has a knack for getting open for passes and releasing his shot quickly.
"I like his energy and passion. He plays the game hard, goes to the hard spots and shoots the puck – things you like about hockey players,'' Coach Danton Cole said. "Playing with Lewie and Nodler, they can make plays in tight areas, tight spaces.
"One thing that Charlie does – and good goal scorers are like this – is he finds himself in the right spots. He can get to those spots and that's what both Josh and Lewie can do, too. They can find guys and make plays.
"That's a good line. They're dangerous. We play them against the other teams' top lines and they're fine with matching up on the road.''
The Spartans coach said he's looked into the transfer portal before but didn't get involved in pursuing a player until at the end of last season.
"One thing Coach (Chris) Luongo and (Coach) Exter and I are really concerned about is bringing in someone that isn't part of your culture and for three or four years, hasn't been through it and they're coming in for a year,'' Cole said. "It's making sure that they're the right kind of guy that can fit into your room.''
The coaches believed Combs would fit in and be accepted by his new teammates.
"Charlie's name came up, we talked to him and found out a bit about him and he just seemed, from a cultural standpoint, a good fit,'' Cole said. "He loves hockey, he likes to work, and likes being around the rink and was a good guy in the room. He's been all of those things for us.''
Combs said he picked up his love for hockey by going to his brother's youth hockey games in St. Louis and junior games in Michigan. Jack Combs is eight years older than Charlie, who said he was always talking hockey with his brother, and later, asking him for tips as Charlie's career started to take shape.
Jack played five years of Major Junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League, the last four with the Saginaw Spirit, and then embarked on an 11-year pro career in the minor leagues, including the last five in Europe.
"We're constantly in communication about how we're doing and what we need to work on,'' Charlie said "Over the summer, it's us pushing each other working out. It's truly awesome.''
Before playing at Bemidji State, Charlie played three seasons of junior hockey in the North American Hockey League, U.S. Hockey League and British Columbia Junior Hockey League. In his last season, with the Wenatchee (Wash.) Wild (BCJHL), Combs scored 51 goals and 84 points in 58 games.
"He brings a lot of experience,'' MSU junior defenseman Christian Krygier said. "He's been around the game a long time. He's an older guy and has a lot of experience with a lot of different leagues before college and then a lot at Bemidji.
"He's shedding his knowledge on us and has been really good. He's putting up points and contributing.''
Said Cole, "He's got a good professionalism about him. He comes to the rink and he works and has fun. The guys like him. He's a fun young man to coach.''
STATS REPORT: The Spartans have five players with 7 points or more. Center Josh Nodler leads with 1 goal and 7 assists for 8 points while linemates Charlie Combs (4-3) and Mitchell Lewandowski (3-4) are tied for second with defenseman Dennis Cesana (1-6) and center Nico Muller (1-6) with 7 points apiece.
Goalie Drew DeRidder is 5-5-2 with a 2.03 goals-against average and a .940 saves percentage.
Meanwhile, in the Big Ten, Michigan freshman Kent Johnson is the top scorer with 15 points – 3 goals and 12 assists. Cole Caufield of Wisconsin is second with 14 points (7-7) and his teammate, Linus Weissbach, follows with 13 (6-7).
Minnesota goalie Jack LaFontaine leads the conference with a 1.28 goals-against average and a .955 saves percentage. DeRidder is second in both categories.
IN THE BIG TEN: In addition to the MSU at Penn State series, No. 1 Minnesota (11-1-0, 9-1-0) is home against Notre Dame (5-6-1, 3-4-1-0-1-1), Ohio State (4-7-1, 4-6-0-0-1-0) is at No. 9/10 Michigan (6-6-0, 4-6-0-1-0-0), and in non-conference play, Arizona State (5-9-2) visits No. 14/14 Wisconsin (6-6-0, 6-4-0-0-1-0). All are Friday-Saturday series.
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