Tim Crowder and then-senior Tyler Howells sandwich a Boston College forward on April 7.
After six months of waiting, the 2007 national championship banner will finally be unveiled at Munn Ice Arena.
The ceremony, which also will feature new banners for the 1966 and 1986 championship teams, will take place prior to MSU’s 7:05 p.m. home opener against Colgate tonight.
“We’re not only raising our championship banner, but more prominently displaying the ’66 and ’86 teams,” MSU head coach Rick Comley said. “One of the missions I think that I have a responsibility for is (to) try to bring the generations of players together and I think that’s always a big challenge and that’s why I want to give equal billing to (former head coach) Amo (Bessone)‘s group and (former head coach) Ron (Mason)‘s group.”
Friday, the first 3,000 fans will receive pins to commemorate the three national titles.
“It’s a nice honor to be able to do it in front of the home fans,” junior goaltender Jeff Lerg said. “They really haven’t had an opportunity like this in a while, so it’s good to take advantage of it.”
The Spartans will play a tough Colgate team, who come into Munn with a 2-0-0 record. The Raiders scored 12 goals in their season-opening wins over Sacred Heart and RIT last weekend.
“They are going to be highly competitive,” Comley said.
Playing against such a tough team and raising a banner in the same night could prove to be a distraction for a team that needs to get off on the right foot.
“It’s going to be done, it’s going to be exciting, but we just have to put everything else behind us once that banner’s up and work toward this season,” senior captain Bryan Lerg said.
Colgate returns forward Tyler Burton, who racked up five points (one goal, four assists) in the opening games. It’s a good start for a player who recorded 40 points last season.
He is one of 10 Colgate players with two or more points through two games.
“They look to be a well-balanced team,” Comley said. “They work hard, are very aggressive, forecheck hard and play an up-tempo game.”
Comley said that practice has been better as the week has progressed and that his team is “anxious” to get back on the ice after a rough 6-0 loss at North Dakota.
“We need them to play and compete and play within the system and style of play,” Comley said. “They didn’t do that (against North Dakota).
“It’s important to get on a positive note. You can tell there’s a sense of urgency this week.”
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