ND set to play host to MSU
MATT OLIVA
Sports Writer
The Notre Dame hockey team returns to CCHA play this weekend, twice matching up with Michigan State.
The Irish (5-2-2, 3-5-2 in the CCHA) play host to the league-leading Spartans Saturday night before traveling to East Lansing for Sunday's game.
The Spartans have started out fast with a 11-4 overall record, 10-2 in the CCHA. Michigan State leads the CCHA in overall defense — allowing 1.73 goals per game — and power play percentage, while ranking fourth in scoring and penalty killing.
Freshman Ryan Miller has posted a 5-1 record, with a 1.40 goals-against average, a .934 save percentage and three shutouts. Junior Joe Blackburn has equally impressive statistics with a 6-3 record, 2.04 goals-against average, a .905 save percentage, and one shutout.
Offensively, the Spartans have several strong players. Senior forward Shawn Horcoff leads the CCHA with 26 total points, scoring six goals to go along with his 20 assists, while sophomore forward Adam Hall ranks fifth with 12 goals and eight assists. Hall is tied for first in the CCHA in goals scored, including four game-winning goals.
The Irish will look to several players offensively to continue their recent production. Senior left-wing Andy Jurkowski has seven points in the last nine games, while senior right wing Joe Dusbabek has added five points in the last seven games.
Also coming on recently is sophomore center Brett Henning, who has four points in his last five games.
Freshman goalie Tony Zasowski leads the Irish defensively, turning in six strong performances this season. He has a 3-2-2 record as a starter to go along with a 2.10 goals-against average and .925 save percentage. Zasowski's efforts this year include a 19 save shutout and five 2-goal games. His CCHA goals against average of 2.31 ranks eighth best in the league.
Michigan State holds the series edge against the Irish, with a 43-27-5 record since 1921. The Spartans are also 16-1-3 since the Irish rejoined the CCHA in 1992. Last year the two teams faced-off three times, with Michigan State winning two of the contests and the other game ending in a 2-2 tie.
All Sports Stories for Friday, December 3, 1999
