Once again, it was Tommy Goebel that tormented Ferris State.
One night after collecting his first collegiate hat trick, Goebel scored two big breakaway goals to help lift Michigan State to a 4-2 victory over Ferris State at Ewigleben Ice Arena and give the Spartans a sweep of the teams’ weekend set.
Goebel was the first to strike at 4:12 of the first period. Mike Lalonde sent a tape to tape pass to Goebel who broke in all alone on Mike Brown. Goebel made no mistake as he shot the puck over the glove of the goaltender to make it 1-0.
But Ferris State would strike back to tie the game. Nick Scheible had the puck behind the net and wrapped it around to the side of the net. Spartan goaltender Matt Migliaccio was there to make the save, but Scheible poked the puck under his pads and into the back of the net at 6:46 to tie the game at 1-1.
Matt York gave the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead at 10:09. Jeff Legue centered the puck to York who shot the puck past the sprawling goaltender.
The second period featured more than half the time with the Spartans on the power play. However, it was the Bulldogs who had more quality chances shorthanded. Migliaccio kept the Spartans in the game by stopping two breakaway chances and numerous other chances close in.
“I really thought Matt Migliaccio (33 saves) came through for us,” Spartan coach Rick Comley said. “He started a little weak, but when we needed him to come up big he did and kept us in the game.”
With the game on the line, Goebel gave the Spartans new life by tying the game on a breakaway at 1:41 of the third period. Scheible jumped up to grab a clearing attempt, but the puck went off his glove and was collected by Goebel. Goebel once again roofed the puck over Brown to make it 2-2.
Matt Nightingale put the Spartans up 3-2 at 2:49. Brown made the initial stop on a shot by Steve Swistak, but Nightingale was there to put it home.
Michigan State chipped in an empty net goal by Lalonde in the final minute to complete the scoring at 4-2.
Ferris State coach Bob Daniels was pleased overall with his team’s effort.
“I thought we played well the first four games of the season,” Daniels said. “Then we went out to Alaska and that is where the landslide began. We didn’t play well out there and then again last night at Michigan State. Tonight, we played very well, but we were a little snakebit.
“The wins are going to come, but it is going to take a lot of hard work and getting back to basics.”
“It was a hard fought game, but dirty,” Comley said. “There was a lot of two hand slashing and spearing out there. The referees didn’t make the right calls and let a lot of things go. That is not the kind of product we are trying to sell. It was good hockey, but east coast league style hockey.”
Daniels had different thoughts on the matter. “I didn’t think it was like that out there at all. Maybe after he watches the tape of the game he will have different thoughts.”
A total of 62 minutes in penalties were called in the game.
Michigan State takes on Notre Dame next weekend while Ferris State plays a home and home series against Michigan.
