Streaking Michigan State will test struggling Irish this weekend
By: JUSTIN SCHUVER
Sports Writer
Two teams heading in opposite directions will meet this weekend at the Joyce Center.
Notre Dame (9-11-4, 7-8-1 in the CCHA), coming off a two-game sweep by Yale last week, look to get back on the right track against conference foe Michigan State (13-9-1, 9-6-0).
The Spartans are the hottest team in the league, coming into this weekend's games on a five game winning streak, including two wins over CCHA foe Nebraska-Omaha last weekend to move into fourth place in the conference.
The Irish, meanwhile, are mired in a five game winless streak (0-4-1) and have not won since a 5-3 road victory over Nebraska-Omaha on Jan. 3. They have been outscored 22-12 in that five game span.
Despite being on a downward spiral while the Spartans play so well, Notre Dame coach Dave Poulin said he wouldn't have his team face any other opponent this weekend.
"I say let's just get out there and play," he said. "We know they're a good team and what we have ahead of us."
If history repeats itself, the Irish will be able to take a good performance from this weekend and use it as momentum to finish out the rest of the season.
Last year, the Irish stunned then No. 3 Michigan State with a 3-2 win, breaking a 33-game home unbeaten streak for the Spartans. Notre Dame was able to use the momentum from that win to finish out the regular season with four straight victories.
"The timing [of this matchup] is eerily similar," Poulin said.
For the Irish to do well against the Spartans, they will have to stop a high-powered and balanced offense. Forwards Jim Slater and David Booth, with 28 and 23 points respectively, lead the offensive unit.
Slater is especially hot, after being named the CCHA offensive player of the week after becoming the first Spartan player in six years to score five points in a game, which he did in Michigan State's 7-2 win over Nebraska-Omaha.
Michigan State also claims the top two scoring defensemen in CCHA play with John-Michael Liles (24 points) and Brad Fast (21).
The biggest question mark for the Spartans coming into this season was in net. Last year's Hobey Baker winner — the award given to the top player in collegiate hockey — goaltender Ryan Miller, is currently playing in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres.
In Miller's place, Matt Magliaccio has become the Spartans' No. 1 netminder. He has an 11-5-1 record and ranks fourth in the CCHA with a 2.39 goals-against average.
The Irish will more than likely counter with sophomore Morgan Cey in net. In three career games against the Spartans, Cey owns an impressive 1-1-0 record with a goals against average of 1.51 and a .962 save percentage. He was the goaltender of record in last year's victory over the Spartans.
Regardless of who is in net for the Irish, a key to defeating the Spartans will be to stop their power play, which is No. 1 in conference play with a .261 efficiency percentage.
"That's a real key," Poulin said. "That's been a huge reason for their increased offense."
Poulin understands the importance of this weekend's game in terms of righting the Irish ship.
"We have to have confidence," he said. "But it's hard to create confidence. It has to happen by winning."
All Sports Stories for Saturday, January 25, 2003
