Sports: Ice Hockey is Winning

            In Rick Comley’s fourth season at MSU, all the pieces of the puzzle seemed in place for MSU to have a special season.

            Early on, however, Comley faced a number of injuries and illnesses to key players.  But when the players—including forwards David Booth, Tim Kennedy and Nick Sucharski—finally came back, the MSU icers began to emerge as consistent winners and, per the pre-season expectations, thrust themselves in the thick of the ultra-tight CCHA race.

            Leading MSU were key players, including junior forward Drew Miller, a candidate for the Hockey Humanitarian Award, senior defenseman Corey Potter, this team’s “ironman,” and a number of young snipers like freshman forward Justin Abdelkader. 

            The resurgence helped MSU stretch its unbeaten streak against archrival Michigan, one which dates back to November 2004.  This year MSU beat the Wolverines once and tied them three times.  In the third game, an MSU goal that the officials did not see was disallowed, thus reducing a second potential win to a tie. 

            The second home game against the Wolverines saw an increased presence in Munn Arena by the Spartan Brass, some 100 strong.  The appearance was spectacular and helped generate home crowd support and atmospherics, which needed to be boosted. 

            Also helping fuel MSU’s resurgence in January was the emergence of freshman goalie Jeff Lerg, who stepped up to challenge junior starter Dominic Vicari.  Lerg backstopped the Spartans to a 6-2-2 record while blocking 270-of-287 shots for a .941 save percentage and 1.67 goals-against average with two shutouts.  He was named CSTV/HCA National Player of the Month.

            In mid-season, Spartan fans were optimistic that MSU could get a first-round bye and home ice in the CCHA playoffs.