Spartans Down Buckeyes in B1G Opener

GAME CAPSULE

Michigan State earned a 2-1 win on the road on Friday behind a season-best 41 saves by senior Drew DeRidder and a pair of multiple-point games from juniors Erik Middendorf and Josh Nodler.

The Buckeyes (3-2, 0-1 B1G) saw their three-game winning streak come to an end despite outshooting MSU 42-17. MSU had 14 blocked shots compared to their hosts, which included a big one from Mitchell Mattson in the waning seconds of the game, stifling the Buckeye 6-on-5 with their goalie on the bench.

DeRidder made 19 saves in the second period, but the Spartans earned the go-ahead goal as the only score in the second period on a goal scored by Middendorf, who took a pass from Nodler and broke in alone and scored his second goal of the season. He was returning the favor after setting up Nodler on the power play in the first period for his second of the year.

DeRidder's 41 saves were the most for a Big Ten goaltender in a game this season. He upped his season best set in last Friday's 37-save effort at UMass-Lowell.

Each team scored once on the power play - MSU was 1-for-2 while the Buckeyes were 1-for-3.

MSU and Ohio State complete their weekend series in a 2 pm matinee on Saturday.

STATISTICS OF NOTE

Drew DeRidder upped his season best in saves for the second straight game, recording 41 stops on Friday.
Josh Nodler started the scoring for MSU in the first period, putting up his first goal since the season opener against Air Force. He also assisted on Erik Middendorf's goal in the second, and had his second multiple-point game of the season.
Erik Middendorf added his second goal of the season on a breakaway in the second period and assisted on Nodler's first-period marker. He recorded his first multiple-point game in a Spartan uniform.

SUPPORTING STORYLINES

DeRidder's 41 saves is the high for any Big Ten goaltender in a game this season.
Mitchell Mattson and David Gucciardi shared the team lead with three each.
MSU had 15 blocked shots, their third straight and fifth overall game with double-digit blocked shots.
MSU won 54.7 percent of its faceoffs, led by Nodler (9-of-14, 64.3)

GAME SYNOPSIS

FIRST PERIOD: MSU took an early 1-0 lead on the power play. Just 15 seconds into a cross-checking call, Erik Middendorf had the puck below the goal line on the right side, slid a pass across the top of the crease to Nodler in the bottom of the left circle, and the junior found the upper left corner for his second goal of the season. DeRidder stopped a pair of point-blank shots at the 13 minute mark, keeping the Buckeyes off the board – but the home team got its first man advantage when Christian Krygier was sent off for hooking. The home team capitalized as the Spartans had done early, when Georgii Merkulov threaded a pass through the low slot to Jake Wise in the right circle, and he beat DeRidder for his first score of the season. Ohio State had a 12-4 edge in shots in the period, but also had seven blocs to MSU''s three.

SECOND PERIOD: The Spartans took a lead at 15:39 of the period. The Buckeyes were once again controlling the shots-on-goal totals, but it was MSU that was opportunistic. The teams were skating four a side due to matching minors assessed at 14:32, and Christian Krygier started the rush from behind his own net, finding Nodler coming up the left side. Nodler dished to Middendorf just before the junior crossed the blueline, and he got his second goal of the season to put MSU up 2-1.

THIRD PERIOD: Ohio State had a modest 11-6 edge in shots in the final period, but the Spartans' defensive effort was up to the task of keeping the tying goal from getting by DeRidder. MSU took a pair of penalties in the final frame to give the Buckeyes a pair of extra-man chances, but limited OSU to just three shots combined on the two power plays. The Buckeyes took a late penalty at 16:36 to stifle their chances at a comeback, and even with goalie Jakub Dobes pulled in favor of an extra skater, MSU held on for the 2-1 victory.

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Team Stats

Erik Middendorf

Josh Nodler

Christian Krygier

Jesse Tucker

Players Mentioned

Drew DeRidder

David Gucciardi

Christian Krygier

Mitchell Mattson

Erik Middendorf

Josh Nodler

Players Mentioned

Drew DeRidder

David Gucciardi

Christian Krygier

Mitchell Mattson

Erik Middendorf

Josh Nodler