Michigan
3-7-2, 0-5-1-0BIG
Michigan State
5-5-0, 3-1-0-0BIG
Michigan Drops Series Finale at Michigan State
11/16/2019 9:51:00 PM | Ice Hockey
Site: East Lansing, Mich. (Munn Ice Arena)
Score: Michigan State 3, Michigan 0
Records: U-M (3-7-2, 0-5-1 B1G), MSU (5-5-0, 3-1-0 B1G)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Nov. 22Â -- at New Hampshire (Durham, N.H.) 7 p.m.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Despite advantages in shots (57-30) and shots on goal (35-26), Michigan could not solve Spartan goaltender John Lethemon in a 3-0 setback against Michigan State on Saturday night (Nov. 16) at Munn Ice Arena.
"We have to find a way to win a hockey game," head coach Mel Pearson said. "The first 10 minutes of the second period we were really good and all over them. We just cannot score. As much as we work on it, we just can't put the puck in the net."
Michigan State (5-5-0, 3-1-0 Big Ten) took an early lead, scoring less than two minutes into the game after a turnover kept the puck in the Wolverine zone. Tommy Miller gave it a drive from the right point and Josh Nodler was there for the redirection and a 1-0 advantage.
Michigan (3-7-2, 0-5-1 Big Ten) looked sharp at the start of the second period and got many good looks at the goal. However, the goal-scoring woes continued. Despite having the upper hand in shots in the second, Michigan found itself down, 3-0, after 40 minutes.
"Every mistake we make gets magnified," Pearson said. "It's a 1-0 game, we lose a faceoff and, bang, it's in our net just like that, and we had outplayed them significantly in that first 10 minutes of the second period. We are finding ways to lose games. When you can't score, everything gets magnified and it makes it tough."
Adam Goodsir won a face off in the left circle cleanly back to Austin Kamer who fired five-hole to make it a 2-0 game at 11:38. Less than three minutes later, Michigan State's Tommy Apap was able to get a third-chance effort to go after a scramble out in front of net.
Hayden Lavigne made his first appearance in goal after the Apap goal. Lavigne replaced Strauss Mann, who left the game with 12 saves in 33:06 between the pipes. His best save came midway through the third period when he flashed leather on a Jared Rosburg snap shot on the power play. Lavigne concluded his night with 11 saves.
Michigan will look to get back on track next weekend in a brief hiatus from conference play. The Wolverines will continue a five-game road swing, with two games at New Hampshire on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22-23.
