Another Heartbreaker for MSU Hockey

For the second straight game, the Michigan State Spartans and Ohio State Buckeyes needed extra time and eventually a shootout to determine a winner. Although the game is considered a tie, the Spartans failed once again to gain an extra point in the standings.

The last three games between these teams have resulted in a shootout.
Early in the first period, Ohio State took a 1-0 lead over the Spartans. Forward Alex Lippincott chased down a loose puck, spun around MSU’s Justin Hoomaian and fed linemate Matt Johnson back door who beat MSU goaltender Jake Hildebrand.

Ohio State went into the locker room up 1-0 after the first period.

Just 18 seconds into the second period, MSU captain Greg Wolfe netted a power play goal to tie the game at 1-1. Wolfe received a pass from forward Lee Reimer near the blue line and Wolfe blasted a slap shot over the blocker of OSU goaltender Christian Frey.

The game remained tied until the Spartans capitalized on another power play with under two minutes to play in the second period. Defenseman Jake Chelios set up Wolfe for his second goal of the game off a one-timer from the point that whistled past Frey’s head and into the net.

Heading into the final period, the Spartans were looking to shut down the Buckeyes, which they failed to do in last night’s game. Unfortunately, OSU was too much for the Spartans and tied the game halfway through the third on an individual effort by forward Matt Johnson, his second of the game.

The game headed into overtime and eventually a shootout. For the second straight game the Spartans failed to gain an extra point in the shootout, losing 1-0.

Michigan State’s next four games will be on the road. Two games against Penn State and two against No. 12 Wisconsin.

Home ice action will return on March 1 as the Spartans host the U.S. National Development Program with the puck set to drop at 7 p.m.



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David Defever is the host of Behind the Mask for Impact Sports

Photo: Jonathan Yales/Impact Sports