Sunday, December 29, 2002

MICHIGAN TECH FALLS TO MICHIGAN STATE, 6-2, IN GLI THIRD-PLACE GAME

DETROIT, Mich. -- Michigan State scored three power play goals and
twice with the teams skating four apiece as the Spartans beat
Michigan Tech 6-2 in the third-place game of the 38th annual Grat
Lakes Invitational at the Joe Louis Arena.

Tech got on the board first just 3:30 into the game as Jon Pittis
tipped a Colin Murphy pass high over Justin Tobe from the top of the
crease. The Spartans evened the game on Jon Michael Liles power play
goal from the center point at 10:57. It was 1-1 after 20 minutes.

MSU took the lead for good on a Brad Fast tally at 1:13 and with each
team down a man. The Spartans took a 3-1 advantage at 9:28 as Jim
Slater got behind the Tech defense and beat Ellsworth upstairs on a
breakaway. The final goal of the period came just after Tech had one
man back from a 5-on-3 deficit. Brian Maloney put it home on a mad
scramble from the slot at 18:16.

Tech cut the lead to 4-2 on Brett Engelhardt's power play marker at
8:44 of the third period, but that's as close as the Huskies could
get.

Cam Ellsworth made 34 saves in the MTU net, while Justin Tobe had 29
stops for Michigan State.

NOTES: Michigan State had the first five shots on goal in the game,
however, the Huskies proceeded to outshoot the Spartans 12-6 the rest
of the period to finish with a 12-11 shots on goal advantage in the
opening 20 minutes . . . Freshman Chris Conner extended his point
streak to seven games with an assist on Jon Pittis' first period goal
. . . Sophomore forward Colin Murphy had a four-point GLI with a goal
and two assists Saturday and an assist in today's game . . . Blizzard
T. Husky and Sparty teamed up for some fun in the second period as
they got a hold of a Michigan hat and did a number on it for several
minutes . . . Tech is at Alaska Anchorage this Friday and Saturday
(Jan. 3-4).