Sports: MSU Icers Aim for Another Title

            Last season, without a doubt, MSU’s ice hockey team provided Spartan fans with one of the most thrilling and unexpected triumphs ever—no less than the national championship.

            This year, the icers want to repeat as NCAA champions.  But if they achieve their goal, it will be far less of a surprise.

            “I think they have a good chance to win it all again,” says Ricardo Cooney, freelance hockey writer for Spartanmag.com.  “At the very least, I think they have a real good chance of getting to the Frozen Four (in Denver, CO).”

            Cooney’s optimism is based on three factors.  First, MSU returns much of its scoring punch.  Secondly, the graduation two experienced defensemen—Ethan Graham and Tyler Howells—may be more than offset by the talent of the incoming recruits.  Thirdly, MSU gets a schedule break early in the season, with a high percentage of home games.

            The team’s leading scorer, Bryan Lerg, returns as this year’s captain.  "Bryan had tremendous support from all of the players and coaching staff," notes head coach Rick Comley. "He has been an excellent player for us for three years, and we expect that he will be an outstanding senior captain.” 

            Helping Bryan as alternate captains will be a quartet that includes his cousin Jeff Lerg, last year’s team MVP and USA Hockey’s College Player of the Year.  Though diminutive and asthmatic, Lerg managed an eye-popping 1.50 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage.

            Also named alternate captain was senior Chris Mueller, who led the team with power play goals and whose 16 goals and 16 assists included two game winners and some opportune, momentum-turning scores.  Finally, named as alternate captains were juniors Justin Abdelkaker and Tim Kennedy, two heroes of the 3-2 national championship win over Boston College.  Kennedy (18-25-43) scored the tying goal and made the assist for Abdelkader’s (15-18-33) winning goal. 

            Forward Jim McKenzie’s early departure for the NHL hurts, but a number of Spartans should be ready to step up.      

            "If we're going to have a chance to duplicate what we accomplished a year ago, the leadership in the locker room is incredibly important,” concludes Comley.  “I think we touch all of the areas with the four alternate captains—there is a nice mix of styles and approaches, and each of them can be a leader in a slightly different manner. I believe that the five, together, will do a nice job in leading our hockey team."