Spartans settle for split with Bowling Green

Michigan State broke their eight-game winless streak with a 3-0 win at Munn Ice Arena against Bowling Green Friday night, but couldn't finish the sweep and fell, 4-2, Saturday night on the road.

On Friday, sophomore Bryan Lerg (right) recorded his second hat trick of his career, including one on a penalty shot. Dominic Vicari made 24 saves for his third shutout this season and 15th of his career.

"His whole history is that he's done that (scored goals)," MSU head coach Rick Comley said of Lerg. "He led the U.S. program in scoring his last year there, so he's always scored goals. He's had a real good year, he just hasn't scored much. Maybe this will get him going."

Lerg was hooked down by Michael Hodgson on a clear-cut breakaway in the second period and on the ensuing penalty shot, Lerg faked the forehand and BGSU goalie Jon Horrell reacted, going down and moving to his right. Lerg made no mistake and quickly switched to his backhand, roofing his second goal of the evening and extending the Spartan lead to 2-0.

"I pulled that move when I was younger, and I scored on it, so I said why not go for it again," Lerg said. "I was thinking about going down the whole time because Jeff (Lerg), my cousin (and freshman MSU goalie), we always just laugh about that goal. It was one I had when we were younger."

It was also MSU's first penalty shot since last December when Bowling Green's Jordan Sigalet stopped then-Spartans captain Jim Slater.

Saturday night at BGSU Ice Arena, Lerg scored again along with a single from Jim McKenzie. Vicari finished with 24 saves.

Michigan State (6-7-4, 3-5-3 CCHA) returns to action Friday in the first game of a weekend series at Alaska-Fairbanks. The Spartans and Nanooks face-off at 11:05 p.m. EST inside the Carlson Center.