Spartans Blanked at LSSU, 2-0

Jan. 30, 2009

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. - Michigan State's losing streak reached four games with a 2-0 road loss at Lake Superior State on Friday night. The host Lakers got goals in the first two periods and held on for the shutout win. The win by LSSU broke a 14-game unbeaten streak for MSU against the Lakers, who last registered a victory in the series in January of 2003.

The home team opened the scoring at 8:18 of the first. Both teams were playing spirited, end-to-end hockey that created scoring chances at both ends. Defenseman Tyson Hobbins is the one who finally got the puck through, beating Jeff Lerg glove-side. Less than a minute later, Brandon Gentile hit the left post on a shot from the left point.

A quirky shot on a dump-in found its way into the upper right corner of the net at 15:06 of the second period to give the home team a 2-0 lead. The Spartans were on the power play, but the Laker penalty killers were disruptive in their defensive zone and kept MSU from getting any quality chances. With 12 seconds remaning on the penalty to Will Acton, Nathan Perkovich carried the puck into the neutral zone on the left wall at the red line, and was attempting to send the puck into the right corner. Jeff Lerg put his glove-hand up, but the puck bounced off the leather and into the upper corner of the net.

Michigan State pressed to break up the shutout in the final frame, but could not get anything past backup netminder Pat Inglis, who was playing in place of Brian Mahoney-Wilson, who is out with injury. The Lakers pressed as well, but hit posts at 9:38 and 3:36 in addition to Lerg making three saves in the final period.

The teams will face off again on Saturday at 7:05 in the conclusion of the series.

NOTES: The loss at LSSU Friday broke a 14-game unbeaten streak for MSU against the Lakers. Michigan State's last loss at Taffy Abel Arena had come on Jan. 3, 2003 (7-1) ... The Spartans had not been shut out since a 3-0 loss at Ohio State on Nov. 7, a stretch of 17 games ... Kurt Kivisto remainded at defense for the Spartans, despite the return of freshman Matt Crandall. Crandall had missed the last two series. Justin Johnston was moved from defense to wing ... Jeff Lerg recorded his 10th straight game with 29 or more saves ...