Box Score EAST LANSING, Mich. –Despite getting out-shot 47-27 and
giving up a goal 28 seconds into the game, 16th-ranked Michigan
State kept finding an answer to 19th-ranked Lake Superior State's
attack and won 4-2 Friday at Munn Ice Arena.
LSSU (13-11-3 overall, 8-9-2-2 Central Collegiate Hockey
Association) continued its winless streak at Munn Ice Arena,
falling 0-18-3 since Dec. 9, 1995. Michigan State is 13-9-3 overall
and 8-7-2-2 in the CCHA.
The Lakers dropped to 7-4-0 in games in which they scored the
first goal.
Senior forward Fred Cassiani (5-10—15) gave LSSU the early
1-0 lead with an unassisted goal. The Spartans were out-shot 18-5
during the first period, but came back to score two unanswered
goals.
MSU's first goal came at 9:03 of the first period from
Mike Merrifield. Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., native Brett Perlini
netted the Spartans' second goal of the game at 11:02 of the first
period.
The Lakers and Spartans played a scoreless second period. The
Lakers outshot MSU 33-16 during the first two periods of play.
Sophomore forward Kellan Lain (6-3—9) tied the game 2-2 with
another unassisted goal at 17:02 of the third period.
Less than two minutes later, MSU's Kevin Walrod netted the
game-winning goal, enabling the Spartans to avoid a fifth overtime
game in eight outings. Torey Krug scored an empty-goal at 19:45 of
third as MSU extended its unbeaten streak to three games.
Sophomore netminder Kevin Kapalka stopped 23 shots on goal for
the Lakers. MSU's netminder Will Yanakeff totaled 45
saves.
LSSU and MSU were both 0-for-1 on the power-play.
The teams meet again at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at Munn Arena. LSSU
leads the season series, 2-1, and both squads have 28 points in the
CCHA standings.
MSU 4, LSSU 2