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Hockey hopes to make statement against Buckeyes

October 19, 2011
Sophomore forward Greg Wolfe reaches for the puck after falling onto the ice. The Spartans defeated Western Ontario, 6-1, on Monday night at Munn Ice Arena. The game was Tom Anastos' first time leading the Spartans on the ice after former head coach Rick Comley resigned after last season. Josh Radtke/The State News
Sophomore forward Greg Wolfe reaches for the puck after falling onto the ice. The Spartans defeated Western Ontario, 6-1, on Monday night at Munn Ice Arena. The game was Tom Anastos' first time leading the Spartans on the ice after former head coach Rick Comley resigned after last season. Josh Radtke/The State News —
Photo by Josh Radtke | and Josh Radtke The State News

As Tom Anastos takes a look at Ohio State, he sees a lot of parallels with his own team.

The Buckeyes are coming off a season where they — like MSU this season — made a switch at the coaching position and still are working to implement a new system.

“Obviously last year, (Ohio State) went through their share of transition, so they’re ahead of us in that regard,” Anastos said. “Many of (their) players at that time, I recall, said, ‘Geez, I didn’t know I could work that hard. We didn’t know we could work that hard collectively.’ And that’s kind of what we’re going to go through.”

The Spartans (1-3-0, 0-2-0 CCHA) return home this week to face off against CCHA opponent Ohio State (2-2, 1-1 CCHA) at Munn Ice Arena. Although MSU holds a forceful all-time series lead (81-25-8), it enters the game looking to make a statement against a formidable conference opponent.

Recent success in the series belongs to MSU, as it is 3-1-1 in its past five games against the Buckeyes at Munn Ice Arena.

In four games this season, a dominant scorer has not emerged on offense for the Spartans. However, the team has received 11 goals, coming from eight different players to signal early season line cohesion.

Senior forward Brett Perlini and sophomore forwards Greg Wolfe and Lee Reimer have led the way on offense, as they have combined for six goals and six assists to carry the offensive load.

“Last year, it was a little tough for me to generate scoring chances and then finish the puck,” Wolfe said.

“Overall, during the summer, I knew losing (former forward Derek) Grant and everything, we’re going to need some people to step up, and I figure our line’s done pretty well so far.”

The Buckeyes come into East Lansing, following a weekend road split against Notre Dame. After losing the first game Friday, 5-2, OSU rebounded Saturday to beat the Fighting Irish, 4-3, to get a quality early season win.

There has been a significant youth movement in Columbus since the departure of former coach John Markell. Of the 12 freshmen on the roster this season, freshmen forwards Ryan Dzingel and Max McCormich rank among the top on the team in goals, assists and points.

Offensive diversity also is a virtue for the Buckeyes, as they have 13 players on the roster with at least one assist and have several multiple goal scorers.

After playing just one exhibition matchup at home this season — a 6-1 drubbing against Western Ontario — the Spartans’ return to Munn Ice Arena is a welcome one. For many of the players, it’s an opportunity to make an opening statement that hockey has returned to campus.

“I think putting on a good show in front of the crowd this weekend is going to be important for getting our stadium lively again,” junior forward Chris Forfar said. “Ohio State is going to bring a true challenge. They split with Notre Dame, so we’re not taking them lightly by any means.”

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