MSU plays Nanooks to tie, shutout

Michigan State made the journey to Alaska-Fairbanks last weekend and came away with a tie Friday night and a 3-0 shutout Saturday night.

A late Nanook goal ended Michigan State's hopes of a road victory Friday night as the Spartans were forced to settle for the 4-4 tie. MSU jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but let UAF back into the game in a sloppy second period. Senior forward Colton Fretter, junior captain Drew Miller and sophomore forward Jim McKenzie all collected two points on the night.

Bryan Lerg, David Booth, Justin Abdelkader and Fretter all scored for MSU and goalie Jeff Lerg made 32 saves for the Spartans.

Kyle Jones had a hat trick for UAF.

Saturday night, goaltender Dominic Vicari (pictured above left) posted his second shutout in three games (and fourth this year) to backstop Michigan State to a 3-0 win. The Spartans, who have struggled at length in recent weeks, are now 2-1-1 in their last four contests after capturing their first CCHA road win of the season.

Abdelkader, Lerg and Zak McClellan scored for MSU while Vicari stopped all 32 shots he faced. Vicari currently leads the nation in shutouts and boasts 16 for his Michigan State career, second all-time to Ryan Miller's 26.

Michigan State (7-7-5, 4-5-4 CCHA) returns to action on Thursday, Dec. 29, when they make their 31st appearance in the Great Lakes Invitational following a 19-day holiday layoff. MSU will lace up the skates with host Michigan Tech at 4:35 p.m to open the tourney.