Detroit — Sophomore forward Brett Perlini is trying to make the most of every shift he’s given for the MSU hockey team.
And in Tuesday’s 10-1 victory against Michigan Tech in the semifinals of the Great Lakes Inivitational, Perlini recorded two goals and an assist, his first points of the season.
Tuesday’s offensive outburst matched his stats from all of last season, where he appeared in 26 games and scored two goals and recorded one assist.
A shoulder injury to freshman forward Anthony Hayes opened the door for Perlini to break into the lineup. Tuesday’s game was only Perlini’s third game of the season.
And with an impressive performance like he displayed against Michigan Tech, the 6-foot-2, 200 pound center is making a strong case to remain in the lineup.
“We’ve always believed he has the offensive talent,” MSU head coach Rick Comley said. “The biggest adjustment for him is learning to compete and play defensively. He’s gotten better at it, but if he was ready earlier he would have played earlier.”
Perlini said he’s been putting extra emphasis on his play in the defensive zone, the area where Comley said he still needs to “win my trust,”
“I’ve been working hard on my defensive play, making sure pucks go out, forechecking, all little things that tend to keep guys in the lineup,” Perlini said. “I’m just working hard trying to compete every shift and hopefully I’ll keep getting opportunities like that.”
Perlini’s teammates have noticed his work ethic in practice and his knack for finding himself in the right place at the right time.
“He works hard in practice,” junior forward Corey Tropp said. “You watch him in shootouts and stuff and he’s always a guy that’s scoring. I think he has a goal scoring touch and his confidence is going to start showing up.”
Perlini will be in the lineup again tomorrow for the Spartans and said he hopes to build of Tuesday’s big game.
“It definitely brings up my confidence,” Perlini said. “To see the puck go in the net at this level is definitely a huge confidence booster. I’ve got to keep this up, keep going here, build off that and be better tomorrow.”
Comley said he doesn’t know what the future holds for Perlini in terms of ice time. But he said he’s been impressed with what he’s seen from the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario native.
“That’s what sports are all about, opportunities and taking advantage of them,” Comley said.
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