Spartan Hockey Reminds #1 UM who is the Defending National Champions!
Spartan Hockey Reminds #1 UM who is the Defending National Champions!
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Coming into the weekend, the Spartan Hockey team had struggled against #1 teams in the nation. They were scheduled to play Michigan, and as the Spartan Nation knows, you throw out records when these two play.
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It was a spirited weekend, and when the dust settled the Spartans had taken three of four points. Most assuredly, they cost the Wolverines their #1 national ranking. The Spartans, led by the best coach in college hockey in Rick Comley, simply had a better game plan for the entire weekend.
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MSU has the best net minder in the nation in Jeff Lerg, and his play combined with Comley’s out coaching of Red Berenson let the Spartans win game one on Friday night at Yost 1-0. The Spartans’ player of the game was clearly sitting on the bench when Comley schooled Berenson with multiple moves and the Spartans tough-minded and disciplined approach kept the Wolverines at bay.
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Saturday evening, the Spartans once again had a great game plan and played the Wolverines fiercely. The Spartans and the Wolverines skated to a 2-2 tie, when a Spartan knocked a puck past Jeff Lerg for the game-tying goal, after seconds before UM clearly cross-checked Mike Ratchuk. In fact, the usually frank Comley described it after the game by saying, “Obviously Ratchuk was cross-checked from behind, and there should have been a penalty, but they didn't see it.â€
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In fairness to both teams, the officiating was horrendous on Saturday evening, albeit balanced towards both teams. The Spartans, however, are peaking at the right time. They now finish the month of January unbeaten (5-0-3) and are gelling into a strong unit with limited weaknesses.
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 As long as the Spartan youngsters continue to come along, the Spartans are going to have a lot to say as the season winds down.
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