FIRST PERIOD
============
The first ten minutes of the game saw neither team playing well at all.
Pi took charge instant with calls (all good ones) as most of these
penalties were stupid penalties taken by both teams.  Michigan had forced
themselves to play 2:45 of the period shortnahded and were able to
improve greatly their penalty killing over last weekend. Michigan
survived Test #1.  You could say this sequence of the game summarized the
entire game.  Defense.
The next ten minutes proved to see Michigan begin to gradually wear down
the Spartan defensive attack (Test #2) but Chad Alban stopped Michigan from
2-3 goals.  Any offensive effort by Michigan State was stopped by good
defensive play by the defenseman and even several of the forwards.
Michigan State looked to really rough it up right away as Tuzzolino and
Harlton were the main players do roughhousing.  Tuzzolino did get his
penalty by Pi this period.
 
SECOND PERIOD
=============
Cleaner period but still some no calls by Pi particularly some
high-sticking by Mike Watt.  Harlton and Keyes also were rough out
there.  Pretty much otherwise the same type of period as the first;
however, Michigan continued to wear down Michigan State.  Madden was to
the left of the net and tapped in the goal to give Michigan the lead for
the duration of the game and threatened continously after that to extend
the lead.  The only problem:  Chad Alban.
 
THIRD PERIOD
============
Best period of the game by both teams.  Turco saved an MSU comeback with
a solid performance and Alban prevented the game from getting too
lopsided after Legg steered Chris Frescoln's shot into the net to extend
the lead to 2.  Test #3: Goaltending.  Yes, Turco made 13 saves but all
were key as Turco now has 2 shutouts on the season.  State got tougher as
the period went on.  Some dispute on the Muckalt goal on whether
empty-net or not.  Will have more on this later.  Alban not in front of
the net should mean empty-net goal.  Alban would of had a 0% chance of
getting the puck so he should not take credit for allowing the goal.
 
SUMMARY
=======
This game went from terrible to good from the opening faceoff to the
Muckalt goal.  State did play well (better than against BG); and Michigan
used defense tonight to win.  Great defensive game and solid goaltending
by both teams.  Could have been a blowout if not for Alban though.  Good
luck to the Spartans in the postseason (CCHA and NCAA's)!!  Tough game
tomorrow for Michigan in Senior Night against Bowling Green while
Michigan State still has hope to win the title with losses by bot
Michigan and Lake State.  Officiating fair at best, State could have (and
should have) been called for more though.
 
===================================
Kenneth M. Baker
University of Michigan '96
RECORD: 25- 7- 2 (CCHA: 21- 6- 2)
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
MY WWW PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!
===================================
 
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