Spartans tie Bulldogs Tuesday night

Michigan State earned a point on the road at Ferris State Tuesday night, tying the Bulldogs, 2-2. The Spartans upped their record to 5-1-2 and remained unbeaten in CCHA play at 2-0-2. Freshman goaltender Jeff Lerg (left) made a career-high 29 saves to earn the decision and improve his personal record to 1-0-1 on the young season.

The Spartans jumped out in front just 1:16 into the game, when forward Jim McKenzie beat Ferris State goaltender Mitch O'Keefe high to the glove side.

The Bulldogs evened the score on their third power-play of the first period with a goal at 14:44. Defenseman Jim Jorgensen fanned on a shot attempt, but the puck slid right to FSU's Adam Miller at the side of the net and Miller buried a shot past a helpless Lerg.

Ferris State finally broke the deadlock on its eighth power-play opportunity of the night, a four-on-three. Sophomore Matt Stefanishion's drive from the point eluded a screened Lerg at 5:47 of the middle period.

The Spartans answered just 1:14 later on a power-play of their own. Tyler Howells collected his own rebound at the side of the net and beat O'Keefe through the five-hole to knot the game at two.

O'Keefe finished with 32 saves on the night.

The Bulldogs are now 2-2-4 overall and 1-1-4 in CCHA play. They play a home-and-home with Western Michigan this weekend with Friday's game at FSU and Saturday's in Kalamazoo.

Michigan State hosts Nebraska-Omaha this weekend. Game time Friday is 7:05 p.m. while Saturday's was bumped to 5:05 p.m. allowing fans to attend both hockey and men's basketball.