Michigan State falls in overtime vs. Michigan Tech, 3-2
Grand Rapids, Mich. – Michigan State (12-9-1) fell 3-2 in overtime to host Michigan Tech (12-6-3) on Wednesday afternoon at Van Andel Arena in the consolation game of the Great Lakes Invitational.
Michigan State has now dropped back-to-back games for just the second time this season. This the first time the Spartans have lost back-to-back games since dropping a pair of home games to Big Ten leading Minnesota.
The Spartans lost their GLI opener yesterday evening versus Ferris State 4-2.
“Obviously it was a tough weekend for us,” Michigan State’s head coach Adam Nightingale said “We got to keep getting better.”
Penalties hurt Michigan State when it mattered, as Michigan Tech forced overtime with a powerplay goal late in the third period, before scoring the game-winner with a man advantage in overtime.
Moments after Michigan State captain Miroslav Mucha (6-1, 197, Bytca, Svk.) was assessed a minor penalty for tripping with less than a minute elapsed in overtime, Michigan Tech caught the Spartans in the midst of a line change, resulting in a two-on-zero breakaway. That breakaway resulted in a game-winning goal by junior forward Arvid Caderoth.
The goal was Caderoth’s first of the season. He was assisted by junior forward Ryland Mosley and junior defenseman Brett Thorne.
The Spartans had a chance to close out the game late in the third period, leading 2-1. Senior defenseman Cole Krygier (6-3, 205, Novi, Mich.) was assessed a minor penalty for elbowing with 2:05 remaining in the game. Michigan Tech, who pulled their goaltender, capitalized on the two-man advantage tying the game 2-2 on a goal by Brett Thorne, with assists by freshman defenseman Evan Orr and Ryland Mosley.
Krygier took exception with the penalty call, and Nightingale didn’t appear to agree with the call either.
“Whether I agree with them or not, you got to kill the penalty,” Nightingale said postgame. “Tough timing for those types of calls. They’re the refs. They get paid to do that and we didn’t do our job to play hockey.”
Michigan State took a 2-1 lead into the third on a goal by freshman Daniel Russell (5-9, 160, Traverse City, Mich.), his seventh goal this season. Russell was assisted by fellow freshman forward Karsen Dorwart (6-1, 191, Sherwood, Ore.) and graduate defenseman Christian Krygier (6-3, 207, Novi, Mich.).
Sophomore Jesse Tucker (5-11, 183, Longlac, Ont.) opened the scoring late in the first period on a beautiful assist from freshman defenseman Viktor Hurtig (6-6, 197, Avesta, Swe.) giving the Spartans a 1-0 lead.
Michigan Tech tied the game shortly into the second period on a delayed penalty called on the Spartans. Senior forward Logan Ganie tallied his fifth goal of the year on a feed from senior forward Jake Crespi. Junior forward Jack Works picked up the second assist on the Huskies’ tying goal. Michigan State’s penalty kill unit stood tall during the ensuing Huskie powerplay.
The Spartans were out-shot by the Huskies 38-33 on the evening. Michigan State graduate goalie Dylan St. Cyr was credited with 35 stops while Michigan Tech’s junior goalie Blake Pietila saved 31 of the Spartans’ shots.
“We’re a team that needs to practice,” Nightingale said. “So we got to get back and have a good week and a half here before we play Ohio State.”
The Spartans will look to rebound next weekend in Columbus where they will face off with Ohio State Friday (Jan. 6) and Saturday (Jan. 7).
This game against Michigan Tech was the last opportunity for the Spartans to play a non-conference opponent during the regular season. The Spartans only have Big Teams remaining on their schedule.
