Feb 14, 2021
EAST LANSING, Mich. It s only fitting the final minutes of Sun Devil Hockey s Valentine s Day showdown with Michigan State had its fair share of flare, as ASU thought they had won, had it taken away, then re-won the game with sophomore defenseman Jacob Semik s game-winning goal with 40 seconds remaining.
The Sun Devils (6-13-2) came out ready to go, scoring just 13 seconds into the opening period. After Chris Grando scored with five minutes remaining for the 2-1 lead, ASU ran out the clock and appeared to hold on to the 2-1 victory as the final horn sounded. However, officials reviewed a shot from Michigan State, who was completing the final two minutes of regulation on the power-play, and ruled it went in with 1:06 remaining to tie the game at two.
Final: ASU 3, MSU 2, Spartans suffer heartbreaking loss on Valentine s Day
Typically they say the game is not over until the final whistle blows, but that was not the case in East Lansing for the Michigan State hockey team as they fell to the Arizona State Sun Devils 3-2 Sunday afternoon in late dramatic fashion.
Things could not have started off much worse for the Spartans, who were playing their first game in two weeks. After winning the opening draw, Arizona State carried the puck into the MSU defensive zone, fired a shot on net and then scored off a rebounded shot by senior forward Dominic Garcia just 13 seconds into the game.
It hurts : Breaking down the wild ending between the Spartans and Sun Devils
Michigan State University hockey player Jagger Joshua (23) attempts to score against the Arizona Sun Devils on Feb. 14, 2021 at Munn Ice Arena. Photo by Jillian Felton | The State News
The last few minutes of Michigan State’s 3-2 loss against Arizona State were quite eventful and wild. It is not every day that you see a hockey game end,and then have a goal added to the score to extend the game.
But that is what happened Sunday at Munn Ice Arena.
Let’s start at the beginning of the third period.
FINAL: Wisconsin 4, MSU 1, Spartans swept on the road as offense disappears Senior Forward Sam Saliba (10) during the game against Wisconsin at the Munn Ice Arena on December 6, 2019. The Spartans defeated the Badgers 3-0. Photo by Connor Desilets | The State News
A short-handed Michigan State hockey team gave all they could Saturday but it still was not enough as they fell to No. 13 Wisconsin 4-1 in Madison.
The Spartans were without four of their regular starters and their absence was missed dearly.
Graduate student Charlie Combs missed his fourth consecutive game, while junior defensemen Cole Krygier missed his second consecutive game. Additionally, MSU was without sophomore forwards Nicolas Müller, who
Column: MSU s power play struggling mightily as Spartans miss chance to climb standings
Senior forward Austin Kamer (24) skates towards the puck after a face-off in the second period. The Spartans fell to the Golden Gophers, 3-1, on Dec. 3, 2020. Photo by Lauren DeMay | The State News
Now 14 games into the 2020-21 season, it is safe to identify some of the strengths and weaknesses of the Michigan State hockey team (5-7-2).
The Spartans will defend. The Spartans will provide solid goaltending. The Spartans will kill penalties – the Spartans make all things happen on the defensive side of the ice.
Where the team has struggled is on the offensive side. Scoring goals has been a problem. They do not generate many shots on goals, which may be a result of the playing styl