Michigan State University
Ferris State
Spartans Pick Up Road Win At Ferris, 3-2
12/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
The third period was MSU's best period of the night, as the ice seemed to open for the Spartans with dominating play not only in their own zone, but also at the offensive end. A goalmouth scramble was what set up the game-winner for Chelios, who was able to get a stick on a loose puck at the top of the crease to the right of goalie Pat Nagle (19 saves). Zach Golembiewski and Torey Krug were credited with the assists on the play.
The Spartans, who had been shut out by the Bulldogs back on Nov. 23 at home, wasted little time making sure it wouldn't be the same in this contest. Perlini corralled a rebound at the bottom of the left circle and beat Pat Nagle stick-side. Kevin Walrod had the initial shot on net, wrapping around the back of the goal cage from right to left and trying to score at the left post.
The home team gained an equalizer at 4:19. Nate Hennig, stationed at the top of the crease, tipped a Kyle Bonis shot from the right side past Palmisano to knot the game at one.
The Spartans had back-to-back power plays midway through the opening frame, but a physical, speedy Ferris State kill gave MSU troubles in setting up anything in their offensive zone.
The second period featured far fewer scoring chances. The Bulldogs took their first lead at 11:08, when Garrett Thompson banked in the puck off the back of the leg pad of Palmisano from behind the net. The Spartans tied it up late in the frame, however, with Perlini's second of the night. Perlini put back a rebound in front with just 1:05 on the clock remaining in the period. Derek Grant and Daultan Leveille got the credit on assists.
The teams were a combined 0-for-10 on the power play (MSU 0-for-6, FSU 0-for-4).
The squads will face off in the conclusion of the weekend home-and-home series on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Munn Ice Arena. The game will be aired live on FS Detroit.
NOTES: Michigan State won its second road game in three tries after starting the season 0-4-0 in games away from Munn Ice Arena ... Ferris State's 18 first-period shots was the most MSU had allowed in the first period this season ... Drew Palmisano was credited with 17 first-period saves, a season best for a single-period effort and two shy of his career record ... Brett Perlini's first-period goal was his 10th of the season, his first time in double-digit goals in his career. He entered the weekend 10th in the CCHA in points (14) and third in goals (9) ... Perlini's two-goal effort was his third of the season and the fourth of his career ... Kevin Walrod's assist on the Perlini first-period tally was his first point of the season ... Torey Krug's assist on Zach Golembiewski's third-period marker extended his point-scoring streak to three games .
