Michigan
6-6-2, 2-3-2-1B1G
Michigan State
6-7, 2-3-0-0B1G
Wolverines Unable to Maintain Early Lead in Setback at Michigan State
11/30/2018 10:33:00 PM | Ice Hockey
» Josh Norris scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season.
» Quinn Hughes recorded his third three-point game of the season and extended his point streak to eight games.
» Nick Pastujov scored his eighth goal of the season.
Site: East Lansing, Mich. (Munn Ice Arena)
Score: Michigan State 4, #14 Michigan 3
Records: U-M (6-6-2, 2-3-2-1 Big Ten), MSU (6-7-0, 2-3-0-0 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, Dec. 1 -- vs. Michigan State (Red Berenson Rink at Yost Ice Arena), 7:30 p.m. (Maize Out)
• Kornacki: What It Will Take to Reverse Fortunes at Yost
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The No. 14-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team was unable to hold on to an early lead, falling to Michigan State, 4-3, on Friday night (Nov. 30) at Munn Ice Arena in the first game of a B1G weekend series with the Spartans.
Michigan capitalized on an early power-play opportunity when sophomore defenseman Quinn Hughes set up classmate Josh Norris for a one-timer to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead three minutes into the game.
The U-M penalty kill went to work in the first period and killed off two Spartan power plays. Freshman forward Jimmy Lambert had a great chance midway through the first period, but the Michigan State goalie made a sweeping save to keep the Wolverines from doubling their lead.
Junior goaltender Hayden Lavigne made two big saves for the Wolverines within a minute of each other to keep the lead, but the Spartans would even the score at 1 after Brody Stevens ripped a slapshot from the point past Lavigne with four minutes left in the opening period.
Sophomore forward Jack Becker scored his fourth goal of the season and gave the Wolverines a 2-1 lead 1:46 into the second period when he redirected a Joseph Cecconi shot from the point. Hughes was credited with the secondary assist on the play.
Michigan State evened the game at 2 with 12 minutes remaining in the second period off the stick of Tommy Miller.
Michigan State began the third period on a man-advantage that carried over from the end of the second period. The Spartans took advantage of the power play when Cody Milan redirected a shot into the back of the net to give MSU a 3-2 lead at the 1:05 mark.
Less than two minutes later, the Wolverines tied up the game when junior forward Nick Pastujov beat the diving Spartans goaltender for his eighth goal of the season. Minutes later Michigan stayed on the attack and went on a power play when MSU was called for hooking. The Wolverines fired six shots during the man-advantage, but they were unable to put any on frame to regain the lead.
The Spartans regained the lead for good when a puck bounced in front of the net and was knocked in by Mitch Lewandowski, giving the hosts a 4-3 lead with 10:16 remaining in the final period.
With time winding down, Michigan pulled Lavigne from goal for an extra attacker and had multiple chances for the equalizer in the closing minutes, but could not get any of them past the Michigan State goalie. Despite the outcome, the Wolverines outshot the Spartans, 19-12, in the final period and 46-29 in the game.
Michigan and Michigan State will conclude their weekend series Saturday night (Dec. 1) at Red Berenson Rink at Yost Ice Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., and the game is a Maize Out, as fans are encouraged to wear maize-colored clothing to show their spirit and support for the Wolverines.
