Magic Johnson may have invented “Showtime” as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, but the Michigan State hockey team perfected it Saturday night.
The Spartans got goals from 12 different skaters and all but two players on the dress list tallied a point as MSU defeated Queens 14-2 in front of 6,462 uncommonly rowdy fans at Munn Ice Arena. The win extends MSU’s unbeaten streak against Canadian colleges, which dates back to 1983, to 12-0-1.
“Tonight we got off and running and didn’t give [Queens] much confidence,” said MSU head coach Ron Mason. “The guys moved the puck well all game.”
Freshman forward Lee Falardeau got the Spartans rolling with a goal on the game’s first shot at 1:08.
Queens, however, would answer on its first shot of the contest at 1:56 when Ryan Poll beat Hobey Baker winner Ryan Miller with a one-timer from the slot.
MSU would then unleash a six-goal barrage over the next 15 minutes of the opening period, starting with a power-play goal from the stick of freshman centerman Ash Goldie at 4:22 and ending with a marker from senior wing Joe Goodenow with 46 seconds left in the stanza.
Falardeau opened the second-period scoring with his second goal of the game, a shorthanded tally, at 1:54. Freshman blueliner Duncan Keith and senior defenseman Jon Insana also added second-period goals for the Spartans.
“We maintained composure and never got sloppy,” said Falardeau, who had three points on the night. “We kept moving the puck throughout the game. [The freshmen] are getting great help from the older guys, so I think we’ll be able to jump right in there and contribute.”
MSU scored four times in the third period, getting goals from junior pivot Troy Ferguson, Goodenow, freshman wing Brock Radunske and freshman wing Mike Lalonde, who notched a power-play marker with 3:12 left in the final frame. Goodenow would lead the Spartans offensively with two goals and three assists.
Miller stopped 14 shots for the Spartans, who outshot Queens 51-15 on the evening. Three goaltenders — freshmen Matt Kenney, Rob Purdy and Jeff Murphy — combined to make 37 saves for the Golden Gaels.
