Spartan hockey team gets past ND and will face OSU for the title
After a disappointing loss by the men’s basketball team earlier in the day, the pressure was on the Spartan Iceman to turn the frowns upside down for Spartan fans. St Patrick’s Day weekend had the Irish coming to town and they were carrying in some assumed luck. However, after two scoreless periods, MSU got on the board with the only goal they needed. A power play goal by non other than player of the year finalist Isaac Howard. At the 19 second mark in the third, MSU took the 1-0 lead and that is exactly how the game ended.
This game was an impressive defensive battle and the energy in Munn was electric. MSU doubled up the Irish in shots 46-18 and face off wins. Although Augustine only faced 18, four of those saves were undoubtedly NHL caliber. The ultra impressiveness came from the clean defensive shutdown the Spartans put on the Irish. This game really shows you what this team is capable of when they play clean. Only two penalties and both were killed rather easily and one being a 4 on 4. MSU set the tempo and dominated in all areas of the game. They just couldn’t seem to get one past Say to the crowd’s dismay.
The first period started out with MSU controlling the tempo and outshooting the Irish. The game began to get more physical and the Spartans were whistled for a cross check. That was the turning point for me. When I saw the way they shut down that power play to only one shot, I knew that MSU was going to find a way.
The second period had a lot of whistles and MSU had multiple power play opportunities and were held shot-less on two of them. Even being held off on the second period power plays, MSU outshot the Irish 19-5 and closed the period once again as the dominant team. The Strand penalty was killed for the first 1:30 and 30 seconds were carrying over to start the third.
The third period began and Dorwart passed over to Howard at the top of the right circle and Howard’s shot went right under the glove hand of Say for his B1G leading 24th and tied for second nationally. This was also his 100th career point in three seasons. Dorwart’s assist has given him 20 points in the last 11 games. The Irish managed just 4 shots in the third and the Spartans maintained control. Augustine earned his third shutout of the year.
MSU will be heading to the tournament championship game for the second year in a row. Only ND and the weasels have won back to back before and the Spartans look to add their name to that short list. To do that will be no easy task as they take on the Buckeyes at Munn next Saturday, March 22 at 7:30pm on BTN. This matchup is sure to be a close one as both teams come in very battle tested and hungry. OSU has played some tough ones recently and finally were able to cool off the hot PSU with their overtime 4-3 victory. The Spartans are 3-1 against the Buckeyes this season and will look to make that 4-1 as they try to add another trophy to the shelf.