The Michigan State Spartans gave a Munn Ice Arena crowd of 6,656 more of what they came to see – more offense.
The Spartans (2-0-1 overall, 2-0-1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association) downed Lake Superior State, 6-1, Friday, earning a series sweep in the process. The Spartans scored 11 goals in the two games with the Lakers – a number they exceeded just once in a dozen CCHA series last season.
“I thought that our guys had a lot of jump both nights,” said Michigan State head coach Ron Mason, who earned his 899th career win Friday. “I think our system that we are playing gives us that opportunity to pursue a little bit more. We have more goal scorers on the teams this year.”
MSU freshman forward Lee Falardeau opened the scoring with his first collegiate goal for the Spartans with a goal at 3:46 into the first period.
“I guess Hutchinson drew both of the defensemen over to the puck along the boards,” said Falardeau. “He just kind of chipped it out, I was there and I broke in.”
Steve Jackson gave MSU a 2-0 lead at 6:20 of the opening period. Defenseman Brad Fast hit Jackson with a perfect feed as he drifted in front of the feed and easily redirected the puck past LSSU netminder Terry Denike.
Defenseman Jeff Mushaluk halved the score with Lake Superior State’s only goal of the night at 13:41 into the first with a blast from the blue line than eluded Spartan goaltender Ryan Miller, but Joe Goodenow scored three minutes into the second period to give the home team another two-goal edge.
MSU would extend its lead to three on a goal from the point by Brian Maloney just 54 seconds after Goodenow scored. Maloney’s goal chased Denike, who made 19 saves on 23 shots, from the game.
Fast scored his first goal of the season and notched the Spartans’ lone power-play tally of the night with 4:20 remaining in the second. His drive from the far point caromed off a Laker defenseman and past Murray. Goodenow capped the scoring, notching his second goal of the night and third goal of the season 6:29 into the third period.
“We still have to improve,” said Mason. “I saw a lot of things last night that improved tonight and we have to continue to do that. Sometimes it’s hard to play when you’re up 6-1, the game’s going to slow down, the emotions aren’t there as much.”
Miller, who saw just 33 shots the entire series, had 18 saves for the night. MSU, meanwhile, fired 46 shots on Denike and Murray, who made 21 saves for the Lakers.
Mason aims for his 900th career victory next weekend at Munn Ice Arena as the Spartans wrap up a season-opening, four-game homestand against Ferris State.
