MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – The Michigan State hockey team has been no stranger to competing in nail-biting contests this season. But Friday’s regional semifinal against Western Michigan perhaps takes the cake.
After trailing 4-2 entering the third period, the No. 1-seeded Spartans forced overtime in thrilling fashion. Then, just over nine minutes into the extra session, MSU senior forward Jeremy Davidson took a shot that deflected off a Western Michigan skater and into the back of the net, sending MSU to the next round with a 5-4 win.
The Spartans (25-9-3) play the winner of tonight’s game between 2-seed North Dakota and 3-seed Michigan at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Centene Community Ice Center in suburban St. Louis.
MSU almost didn’t make it to overtime. But, with an empty net and a minute to spare, freshman defenseman Artyom Levshunov broke out from the neutral zone, speeding past a Western Michigan defenseman, before finding forward Karsen Dorwart wide open in front of the crease for a game-tying goal with 55.8 seconds remaining.
Other than a brief spell in the second period when the Spartans seemed to take control, the entire game was an uphill fight for MSU.
Western Michigan got on the board first after forward Matteo Costantini fired a shot through traffic in front of MSU goaltender Trey Augustine and took that 1-0 lead into the locker room after the first period.
Early in the second period, MSU freshman defenseman Patrick Geary connected with sophomore forward Daniel Russell on a long stretch pass. Russell made a great first touch to spring himself on a breakaway and beat Western Michigan goaltender Cameron Rowe to put MSU on the board.
The Spartans took the lead midway through the second period when junior defenseman David Gucciardi blasted a slapshot from the point that beat Rowe. But, as the Spartans were buzzing, a penalty and ensuing power play goal from Western Michigan shifted the momentum toward the Broncos.
Western Michigan would add two more even-strength goals — in total three goals in a 3:20 span — to make it a 4-2 game heading into the final period.
MSU’s fourth line, engineered by sophomore forward Tiernan Shoudy, was relentless on a forecheck and eventually turned the Broncos over, resulting in a loose puck coming to defenseman Nash Nienhuis. MSU captain fired a shot past Rowe from the high slot to cut the deficit to just one with 11 minutes remaining.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @Nathaniel_Bott
Christine Lake is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. With an extensive background in sports journalism, he covers everything from major league championships to grassroots sports events. When she’s not on the field or at the stadium, you’ll find Christine coaching youth sports teams.
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