Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Spartans get CCHA sweep with Alaska

Lost in the post-game scuffle Friday night was the fact Michigan State beat Alaska, 3-2 in overtime, and then defeated the Nanooks Saturday night for a two-game sweep at Munn Ice Arena.

Tim Kennedy won it for MSU on Friday with a goal at the 2:04 mark of overtime. Then, during the post-game handshake, Alaska head coach Tavis MacMillan pointed his finger repreatedly at MSU head coach Rick Comley. Two fights escalated and Spartans' captain Chris Lawrence and defenseman Brandon Gentile were assessed fighting majors and sat out Saturday's game with mandatory one-game suspensions.

"We took a big penalty going into overtime and got a big goal in overtime to win," said Comley. "I think they played their game and I don't know this, but I think they played okay. It was a very hard-fought game and it is unfortunate that we had the incident after the game."

Justin Abdelkader tied the game in the third period for the Spartans and Chris Mueller scored in the first. Jeff Lerg finished with 26 saves in goal for MSU.

Saturday, despite a fantastic 44-save effort by Alaska netminder Wylie Rogers, Michigan State got a goal and two assists from Tyler Howells and two-point nights from three players to post a 4-3 victory over the Nanooks and record the two-game series sweep. A two-goal third period for MSU was the difference.

The Spartans have now won six of their last seven contests to improve to 14-8-1 and 10-6-1 in the CCHA.

Tim Crowder, Nick Sucharski and Jim McKenzie scored for MSU to back Lerg's 25-save outing.

"It seems like when we're playing the body and being in physical games like tonight, that's when we play our best," said McKenzie. "I think we did a really good job positioning ourselves on their breakout."

Michigan State will play at home again this weekend, hosting Lake Superior State in a CCHA set.

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