BIG RAPIDS, Mich. - When Mitchell Lewandowski’s parents got divorced, his mother, Jill, worked three jobs so he could afford to play hockey growing up.
This season, the Michigan State freshman is quickly paying back his mom for all her hard work. Lewandowski has nine goals through 12 games, including the game-winner in the Spartans’ 3-1 win over host Ferris State in nonconference play Saturday.
Jill was on hand when he scored two goals the night before at MSU. He finished with three goals in the Spartans’ sweep of the Bulldogs this weekend.
“She just loves it,” Lewandowski said. “She thinks it’s great. She comes to all the home games, so it’s fun to score when she’s there to make her happy.”
Lewandowski notched the winning goal on a power play at 8:05 of the second period. Taro Hirose was away from his left wing spot, so Lewandowski filled in and then sent a pass to defenseman Carson Gatt. The puck made it to Hirose, who sent over a one-time opportunity to Lewandowski for the bang-bang goal.
“When Taro passed it, I tried to shoot it as fast as I could, and it went in,” Lewandowski said.
That same line of Hirose, Lewandowski and center Patrick Khodorenko accounted for all three goals in MSU’s 3-2 win the night earlier.
“Khodorenko and Taro are really good at finding guys that get open, and (Lewandowski) is really good at getting open,” MSU coach Danton Cole said. “He’s not wasting a lot of time. He’s done a great job. Game in and game out, he’s been very, very dangerous.
“He’s got a hot stick right now.”
Added Lewandowski: “I think it’s really just Hirose and Patty. (They) are just such good playmakers, too, so they find me open, and I think it works both ways. I think they set me up a lot more than maybe I set them up, but it’s going well so far.”
When Cole recruited Lewandowski to the Spartans, he expected the freshman to be a great passer in his first season because of Lewandowski’s high hockey IQ.
“That’s what he’s been known for, slinging pucks,” Cole said. “I wish we had another guy with that many goals. It’s outstanding.
“Again, with that line, they’re moving and grooving, and the puck’s coming to them at the right time.”
Also for the Spartans, Brennan Sanford notched his second goal of the season on a shorthanded try at 14:08 of the first period. Gatt tacked on an insurance goal in the third, while goalie John Lethemon made 29 saves.
Ferris scored its lone goal on a power play at 2:21 of the third after Corey Mackin pushed in a shot from the right side. Following the score, teddy bears rained down from the stands as the Bulldogs were hosting their annual Teddy Bear Toss to support the Salvation Army. There were enough bears to fill two giant trash bags.
Ryker Killins assisted on the play, and Ferris goalie Justin Kapelmaster stopped 22 shots.
MSU (6-5-0, 1-3-0 Big Ten) returns to conference play when it visits Penn State Nov. 24-25, while Ferris (5-7-1, 2-3-1 WCHA) visits Alabama-Huntsville the same days.
As for Jill, who once had a full-time job as a secretary and part-time gigs both in makeup and as a bartender, she only has to work one job now, Lewandowski said. He admitted it’s his turn to pick up some of her workload now that he’s made it to the NCAA level. He clearly hasn’t been slacking through 12 games.
“It’s really special, really cool,” he said. “I try not to think about (contributing as a freshman) as much as I can. It’s really nice, really nice to be able to contribute as a freshman and not just sit around and just play minutes. I’d rather contribute.”
WCHA Roundup
Bowling Green 3, at No. 5 Minnesota State 1
Alec Rauhauser, who scored twice, notched the winning goal for the Falcons (5-4-3, 5-2-3) on a power play at 19:41 of the second period, while Cameron Wright had a pair of assists. The Mavericks (9-4, 7-3) got a power-play goal from Jake Jaremko in the first period.
Alabama Huntsville 5, Lake Superior State 3
Three goals in the first period and a pair of goals in the second ensured the Chargers the WCHA win and a weekend split with the Lakers. Christian Rajic scored three goals for Huntsville (4-7-1, 2-2-1), and Jordan Uhelski made 35 saves. LSSU (3-8-3, 2-4-2) received a goal and an assist from Brayden Gelsinger.
