Spartans break out with 4 goals, but tie

MINNEAPOLIS - Finally, Michigan State scored some goals.

Finally, the Spartans didn't lose.

In fact, MSU managed to beat the opposing goaltender four times on Saturday - a season high - and never trailed in the College Hockey Showcase finale against Minnesota.

In the end, the Spartans ended their seven-game losing streak by battling the No. 1-ranked Gophers to a 4-4 tie at Mariucci Arena.

One night after managing just 12 shots in a 3-1 loss at Wisconsin, MSU scored two goals in the first period Saturday to take a 2-0 lead, then after the Gophers tied it 2-2, the Spartans scored two second-period goals to go ahead 4-2.

But the Gophers (7-2-5 overall) made it 4-3 late in the middle period and scored on a power play early in the third to tie it.

The Spartans (4-9-3), however, held on and even created a few good scoring chances before the teams played a scoreless overtime.

MSU's four goals ended its streak of scoring one goal in six consecutive games.

Before Saturday, the Spartans have not scored more than three goals in any game.

"We got to the net and did some things we needed to do,'' MSU coach Rick Comley said. " I don't know if that was a good game for Minnesota or not. I haven't seen them. But for us that was a pretty good game.''

Freshman center Daultan Leveille scored two goals and senior right wing Dan Sturges and sophomore left wing Andrew Rowe each scored one.

Leveille, who now has five goals, scored on a power play 10 minutes into the game to give MSU a 1-0 lead.

"He's been really coming on,'' Comley said of Leveille. "He's a really young kid, and 150 pounds. But he's one of our better kids and one of our only natural centermen.''

After senior goalie Jeff Lerg made 50 saves against Wisconsin on Friday, Comley went with freshman Drew Palmisano in goal on Saturday. He made 22 saves as the Spartans outshot the Gophers 30-26.

"I thought he did really well. I was temped to play Jeff again. But I'm trying to get Drew ready for next year, and I like to play freshman goalies on the road in tough buildings,'' Comley said. "I think it's good for them.''

Justin Bostrom, Joe Miller, Nick Larson and Patrick White scored for the Gophers, who started the Showcase with a 6-3 loss to Michigan on Friday. Minnesota is 0-2-1 in its last three games.

"It really takes some pressure off to score some goals. Every game you're under such darn pressure because if you give up one you might lose.'' Comley said. "That's how it's been, so I think this might, hopefully, relax them some.

"It's been a tough month. The first eight games we looked OK and we've really struggled since then. Now we go home to play Michigan (twice) and that should be very exciting.''

The Spartans return to CCHA play next weekend with a home-and-home series against Michigan - at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Ann Arbor and at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Munn Arena.

The Wolverines were shut out by Wisconsin, 3-0, on Saturday in Madison, after beating Minnesota, 6-3, on Friday.