By Matt Mackinder/Michigan State Beat WriterMichigan State finally snapped their losing streak this weekend and much of that can be attributed to senior goalie Jeff Lerg.
The Spartans tied Ferris State, 2-2, Friday night at home (but lost in the subsequent shootout) and then topped the Bulldogs, 1-0, last night in Big Rapids to end their six-game losing skid.
Lerg made 44 saves Friday night and Saturday night finished with 32 stops.
"We're at a point where we're low on numbers and this is just a gutsy win for us tonight," noted MSU head coach Rick Comley after the 1-0 win. "Our guys really did a great job of blocking shots and doing all the little things we needed to do to be successful. A three-point weekend for us is huge. We're in playoff mode and every little bit is going to help."
Andrew Rowe and Joey Shean (first NCAA goal) scored Friday night for the Spartans (8-18-4, 5-14-3-2 CCHA) and FSU captain Cody Chupp and Justin Menke each had a goal and an assist to back Pat Nagle's 30-save outing.
Derek Graham scored the deciding goal in the fifth round of the shootout to give the Bulldogs the extra point.
Last night, Matt Schepke scored 36 seconds into the game and the Spartans buckled down defensively to help Lerg get his second shutout of the year. In particular, freshman Trevor Nill blocked three FSU shots in the final minute when the Bulldogs had an extra attacker on the ice with goalie Taylor Nelson on the bench.
Nelson kicked out 18 shots in the loss.
Michigan State hosts Ohio State next weekend, while the Bulldogs (11-12-7, 8-9-5-2 CCHA) travel to Bowling Green.
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