Funny Bounces Lead to Spartans First Win

Weird things happen when you shoot the puck towards the net, and on Saturday October 26, it worked in the favor of MSU.

The Spartans got their first win of the regular season at Munn Ice Arena last night, defeating No. 14 Boston University, 3-1.

MSU trailed 1-0 going into the third period, but with five minutes left in the game, Brent Darnell evened the score. With the puck in the corner to the left of BU’s goaltender Sean Maguire, Darnell shot it from the goal line towards the goal and found the back of the net, tying the game 1-1.

“We talk about getting pucks to the net and I had a little time,” Darnell said. “I saw a couple guys in front, I just wanted to throw it there and I got a good bounce. I was pretty surprised, but I’ll take anything I can at this point.”

Darnell’s goal changed the atmosphere and momentum of the game instantly. It took less than a minute later for the Spartans to strike again on a goal by freshman forward Joe Cox. MSU had control in the corner and jammed the puck towards the goal. Cox was there for the rebound and chipped it past BU’s goaltender, giving the Spartans a 2-1 lead.

“One thing led to another and the puck just kind of pop in front of the net, and luckily I was there to put it home,” said Cox.

With less than five minutes left in the game, Boston was doing everything they could to tie the game. BU pulled their goalie for an extra skater, but MSU’s goaltender Jake Hildebrand was there to shut it down saving a series of shots in the last minute of play.

“It has been along time since we got a win,” said Hildebrand. “I just wanted to make sure I did everything I possibly could to make sure we got that win.”

“For our team to have success, we need to have really good goaltending,” said MSU head coach Tom Anastos. “We got two real big saves from him in that game which were critical.”

Greg Wolfe added an empty-net goal to make it 3-1, securing a victory for the Spartans.

“I thought that was our best overall three period effort,” said Anastos. “Looking from start to finish over two weekends, I think we have gotten better in every game we’ve played.”

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

Photo: David Defever