Friday, March 18, 2005

Spartans move on in Super Six tourney

In order to win the CCHA Super Six tournament and gain an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament, Michigan State must win three games in three nights.

One down, two to go.

Last night at Joe Louis Arena, MSU (20-14-5) dominated right from the get-go and beat Nebraska-Omaha, 5-0, behind a 33-save shutout from goalie Dominic Vicari.

Tommy Goebel (goal, two assists), Drew Miller (three assists) and captain Jim Slater (three assists) each had three-point games for the Spartans.

"We played really well from start to finish," said MSU head coach Rick Comley. "Our big players stepped up as they have the last few weeks. We were very focused and it was a solid win for us."

Colton Fretter scored a power-play goal just 3:28 into the game and Jim McKenzie, Daniel Vukovic and Chris Mueller also scored for MSU with Vukovic's tally being his first collegiate goal.

McKenzie now has 10 goals in his last 12 games and Fretter's 20th goal of the season leads the team. Mueller's empty-net goal was his first goal since Nov. 14 - a span of 27 games.

Vicari's fifth shutout of the season was also his 12th career goose egg.

"We play as good as Dom (Vicari) plays and, again, he played very good tonight," said Slater. "We follow him."

With the win, MSU moves on to face Ohio State in the semi-finals today at 8:05 p.m. The early game pits Michigan against Alaska-Fairbanks at 4:35 p.m.

No comments: