In a game suited more for the Spartans, defenseman Brad Fast scored two goals, the second the game-winner with 48 seconds left, and Michigan State defeated Northern Michigan 3-1 on Saturday night.
“It was a bonus for us tonight that our defense was able to get a couple of goals,” Fast said. “We were ready to play tonight and felt that we had something to prove. We showed up tonight and I’m really proud of the guys.”
Spartans coach Rick Comley won his first game against his former team, a night after losing 10-4.
David Booth added an empty-net goal with 13 seconds left to seal the deal for Michigan State (2-2, 1-1 CCHA).
Peter Michelutti scored a power-play goal in the second period, the only scoring for the Wildcats (2-2-1, 1-1).
Michigan State’s Matt Migliaccio and Northern Michigan’s Craig Kowalski each were called on to make 17 saves.
“The game was totally different tonight,” Migliaccio said. “The defense played really well in front of me and the forwards came back and helped out in the middle. They did a really good job getting the puck deep and not turning it over too much.”