Michigan State University
Princeton
Three Straight Goals Lead Princeton Past MSU, 3-1
11/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
PRINCETON, N.J. - Three unanswered goals gave the Princeton Tigers a 3-1 win over the Michigan State hockey team on Friday night at Hobey Baker Rink in Princeton, New Jersey. The Spartans (4-8) heavily outshot the Tigers, getting a season high 45 shots on goal, but couldn't beat Princeton goaltender Colton Phinney more than once.
"We've had a difficult time trying to score and had some quality chances again tonight and we didn't take advantage of them," MSU head coach Tom Anastos said. "We just have to keep generating the chances and getting traffic in front of the net and hopefully those pucks will start to go in."
After Matt Berry was denied on two occasions in the first period - being stopped on a breakaway and wraparound attempt - the senior winger eventually set up the first goal of the game to give MSU a 1-0 lead 3:37 into the second period. Berry took the puck from Travis Walsh at the left point and skated into the slot, drawing a crowd, and quickly dished the puck to Michael Ferrantino, who was between the left circle and the crease. Ferrantino one-timed the perfect pass into the net for his sixth goal of the season.
The Tigers (2-6-1) bounced back after the MSU goal, killing a penalty and then tying the game just prior to the midway point of the second period. The goal came when a shot from the point kicked off the skate of MSU defenseman Rhett Holland and into the high slot where Jonathan Liau picked up the puck and slipped it under Jake Hildebrand.
David Hallisey gave Princeton a 2-1 lead with just over five minutes to play in the second with an unassisted goal off a rising shot from the left side.
The Tigers got their first power play 2:01 into the third period and capitalized on an MSU turnover to make it 3-1. Ben Foster picked off a clearing attempt inside the MSU blue line and snapped the puck past Hildebrand for a two-goal lead.
"We made some critical errors tonight and give Princeton credit, they took advantage," Anastos said. "You can't give up three goals, especially with the turnovers we made. When you do that, it results in momentum shifts."
Aside from Princeton's power-play time, Michigan State pressured the Tigers in their zone nearly the entire third period, producing 20 shots goal - the most by MSU in a period this season.
Phinney made 44 saves on the night while Hildebrand finished with 23.
The Spartans and Tigers will meet again Saturday night at 7 p.m.
