MSU prevails in OT thriller
Thursday afternoon I loaded up the car and embarked on my journey to The Frozen Confines. There was a lovely buzz about the town for the few days leading up to the game. The Go Green and Go Whites echoing along Michigan Ave, Millennium Park, Museum Row and of course Wrigleyville gave a certain anticipation that everyone was waiting for. I definitely ran into fans from other teams playing in the four game spread, but no contingency was larger than MSU and Wisconsin. The number 1 ranked Spartans, playing their 4th game in seven days, over holiday break, with the second string goalie, live on BTN and outside at Wrigley Field…would they answer the call?
The game started about 45 minutes later due to a shootout in the previous game. Side note, all four games were very exciting and close, the league showed up. The delay in the start only added to the environment as the temp was 18 and feeling like 6 at puck drop. The Spartans started off with a strong first period. Scoreless for nearly 15 minutes but MSU was on the attack and you could feel a goal coming soon. With four and a half left in the first MSU struck first with the first career goal from Vlad Lukashevich. He intercepted a pass and hit a beauty into the back of the net. MSU ended the first period with a 17-9 lead in shots on goal and it honestly felt like more. Chants of Jared Goff, Packer expletives and of course Go Green were echoing through the concourses.
The second period has given the Spartans some trouble this season and last night was no exception. Four and a half into the period Daniel Russell snagged the puck in traffic and redirected it to put the Spartans up 2-0. From then on in the second it felt as if MSU was playing on its heals as Wisconsin was letting it all go. 13 shots on goal in the period to MSU’s 7 but again, the feeling was very different. Wisconsin connected with their first goal at 10:17 when Morrisey had a wicked angle shot that got past Di Pasquo and at 14:35 Finley tied it up on basically an open net that was reviewed for possible interference but the goal stood and we headed into intermission all tied up. The mascots, however, were not tied up as Sparty out danced Bucky along the third baseline that sent Bucky out to right field to do snow angels and pray for a miracle.
The third period led to some definite environmental feels as the wind picked up and it felt as Coach Nightingale said, “like spring in Cheboygan”. The ice was also showing its wear as the weekend games had taken its toll and made the ice very choppy. Di Pasquo mentioned the puck was bouncing like crazy but it never effected his sight. The Spartans regained the lead at around the eight minute mark as Howard drilled one past Scarfone. MSU looked to be in the driver seat as Wisconsin pulled the goalie with about 1:30 left and it paid off. Finley had a beautiful pass to Mosley, who said it was the best pass he’s ever received, and he connected with about 43 seconds left in the period. Both teams then skated to a tie and off to overtime we went.
Wisconsin was definitely in their feels and you could tell the energy of the crowd shifted a bit and Wisconsin started the overtime play with a handful of chances in the Spartan end but Di Pasquo stood strong and held off the early momentum. As the overtime period was winding down MSU finally started to control the puck as Howard passed to Andrews who found Russell along the left half-wall. Russell shot the puck and was denied but rebounded in the front of the crease as Russell stuck it through the five-hole with 1.2 seconds remaining. MSU celebrated with the 4-3 victory surrounding Russell as the Spartan crowd exploded.
When asked after the game about the magnitude of all things Spartan hockey right now, Nightingale was proud of the team for answering the call to the pressure of being number one and playing in such a special marquee game knowing the Spartans will always be seeing everyone’s best.
There is definitely something special about this Spartan team and what a great way to start the New Year! Would also like to mention just a special note on the Wisconsin fans. I ran across quite a few throughout the weekend and what a great group of people. I had really great encounters with everyone I met cheering on the Badgers. I even enjoyed meeting Owen Lindmark’s family on the train back after the game. Nothing about this weekend disappointed and my hat goes off to Wrigley, The Big Ten, and the Spartan faithful for showing up.