Spartans Fall at Ferris, 4-1

Feb. 19, 2010

Big Rapids, Mich. - Michigan State saw its winless skid reach four games with a 4-1 loss at No. 14 Ferris State on Friday night. The 12th-ranked Spartans allowed three second-period markers in the contest, and fall to 17-11-5 overall. The teams entered the contest tied for second place in the CCHA standings; Ferris holds a three-point lead for second heading into the series finale on Saturday at Munn Ice Arena.

Highlights | Box Score

The teams skated through a scoreless first period, but the home team exploded for three goals in the middle frame to take a commanding lead. The first came a t 6:51 - Drew Palmisano came up with a pair of big saves, but Aaron Lewicki was there to bury the third shot at the right post. Ferris doubled its lead at 11:41 when Mike Fillinger pounced on a loose puck in the crease; Palmisano made the initial save and thought he had held onto the puck - unfortunately, it had fallen to his feet and laid there for several seconds before the opportunistic Fillinger got a stick on it.

Ferris' third goal came with under five minutes remaining in the frame. The Spartans committed a turnover in the neutral zone, allowing a two-on-one for the Bulldogs. Kyle Bonis carried the puck up the right side and put a shot past the glove hand of Palmisnao for his second goal of the season.

The Spartans got back into the game early in the third period with a power play goal at 2:47. Torey Krug took a pass from Corey Tropp up at the left point, and rocketed a shot netward through traffic; Derek Grant got a piece of it in flight and redirected it past Nagle for the 11th goal of the freshman's season.

The Bulldogs pushed their lead back to three goals at 13:45 with a power play goal. Lewicki shot the puck from the right half-wall, and Menke tipped it from his spot at the base of the right circle to give him a two-point night.

Nagle finished his night with 22 saves, while Palmisano had 25 for the Spartans.

The teams meet again tomorrow in East Lansing to close out the two-game season series. Gametime is 5 p.m.

NOTES Michigan State's winless streak reached four games ... The Spartans have allowed the first goal of the game to their opponent in each of those four contests ... Derek Grant scored his 11th of the season, a goal which Corey Tropp recorded his 20th assist of the season ... Michigan State's scoring has stalled, with just two goals in their last three games combined ... Ferris snapped a four-game winless streak against MSU ... Drew Palmisano made 14 saves in the second period ... MSU outshot its host 15-5 in the final period ...