Halloween game vs. Western Michigan may be scary challenge

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Lawson Ice Arena can be a scary to place to play on a normal night.

But on Halloween, with a Blackout in effect and students decked out in their costumes, the home rink of Western Michigan could be downright frightening for the MSU hockey team Saturday night.

“All I really remember from last season is the Blackout and how loud it was in the first and third periods,” said sophomore goaltender Drew Palmisano, who started last season’s shootout victory at Lawson and will get the nod again on Saturday.

Western Michigan fans are notorious for getting into the ears of opposing teams, and with Saturday being Halloween, MSU is expecting a rowdy atmosphere.

“Whenever there is an in-state rival, it’s one of the bigger games of their schedule,” junior forward Corey Tropp said.

The Broncos are 4-0 this season, with sweeps over Mercyhurst and Alabama-Huntsville. But this weekend’s home-and-home series with the Spartans (4-2-0 overall, 1-1-0-0 CCHA) marks their first conference matchups.

With a tough atmosphere Saturday, MSU head coach Rick Comley said winning Friday is crucial for his young team returning after two road series.

“It’s going to be a heck of a series,” Comley said. “(Western is) a little bit deeper than what I’ve seen them in the past couple years. When you go 4-0, you are off on a positive note from that standpoint. We know how tough it is down there and that’s why the Friday’s game is real big.”

The Spartans’ first line has been rolling, with Tropp and freshman forward Derek Grant recording points in all six games.

But Comley said for the team to have success, scoring has to filter down to the other three lines.

“Week by week now, it’s a question of developing depth,” Comley said.

“It’s a real tough stretch of games coming up here against really quality people. I think (we have) good ingredients, now we just have to let scoring go down through the lineup a little bit.”

After defeating the No. 1 team in the country last Saturday, Comley is looking forward to seeing how his team responds this weekend.

“It’s just another opportunity for a young team to grow,” Comley said.

“When you are playing as many freshmen and sophomores there are going to be ups and downs. But I’ve been very pleased with this team’s development and attitude.”

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