http://www.statenews.com Hockey reporter Alex DiFilippo takes you inside the MSU hockey team. Follow Alex and the rest of The State News sports desk on Twitter at twitter.com/thesnews_sports. en-us Gryphon 2.2.3b-tsn (woodward)/Foundry5 Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:15:39 -0400 webmaster@statenews.com http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/03/predicting_this_weekends_ccha_finals For the third straight year, the MSU hockey team won’t be making a trip to Joe Louis Arena to compete in the semi-finals of the CCHA Championships. But four teams — Miami (Ohio), Michigan, Northern Michigan and Ferris State — will be making the trip to the Joe to try and earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament with a CCHA playoff title. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:15:39 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/03/predicting_this_weekends_ccha_finals http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/03/score_doesnt_lie_in_um_beatdown_of_spartans This one was over from the get-go. The No. 10 MSU hockey team was destroyed by Michigan, 5-1, in the first game of a best-of-three series in the quarterfinals of the CCHA Tournament. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:41:31 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/03/score_doesnt_lie_in_um_beatdown_of_spartans http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/breaking_down_the_johnston_situation I heard about Justin Johnston quitting the team prior to the puck drop on Friday. Initially, I was shocked with head coach Rick Comley’s decision not to put Johnston into the starting lineup. But the more I’ve thought about it the past couple days, the more I’ve sided with Comley’s decision. Sun, 28 Feb 2010 14:18:47 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/breaking_down_the_johnston_situation http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/johnston_leaves_team_on_senior_night Senior defenseman Justin Johnston quit the team early Friday afternoon. He wasn’t honored in the celebration and wasn’t listed on the linechart at the start of the game. Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:24:36 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/johnston_leaves_team_on_senior_night http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/msu_bg_both_looking_for_solid_weekend Heading into this weekend, there has been a common theme between the No. 12 MSU hockey team and its opponent, Bowling Green. Neither team has put together a full 120 minutes in recent weeks. Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:30:58 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/msu_bg_both_looking_for_solid_weekend http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/comley_discusses_future_for_ccha_tournament Because Nebraska-Omaha will be dropping out of the league and joining the WCHA, the CCHA will be left with 11 teams. And that isn’t fun for scheduling. This week, the CCHA is holding a conference call with league coaches to try and figure out a new playoff system. Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:23:18 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/comley_discusses_future_for_ccha_tournament http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/comleys_eye_leads_to_palmisanos_1st_shootout_victory The last time the No. 12 MSU hockey team took the ice on Feb. 6 against Alaska, the Nanooks final shooter would decide the outcome of the shootout. Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:32:52 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/comleys_eye_leads_to_palmisanos_1st_shootout_victory http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/icers_will_be_keeping_eye_on_vancouver Although the No. 12 MSU hockey team had practice during Team USA’s 3-1 win over Switzerland, the Spartans said they will be keeping a close eye on what transpires in Vancouver. Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:33:04 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/icers_will_be_keeping_eye_on_vancouver http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/msu_gets_shootout_point_vs_nanooks The MSU hockey team’s long trip to Fairbanks, Alaska, wasn’t completely for naught. Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:01:49 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/msu_gets_shootout_point_vs_nanooks http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/msu_sitting_pretty_in_ccha_logjam MSU still has a really good shot to finish in the top four. The Spartans have an away series at Alaska, a bye week and then a home-and-home series against Ferris State and Bowling Green to wrap up the season. If MSU can at least split their final three series, the Spartans should be a lock in the top four. Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:36:28 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/lighting_the_lamp/2010/02/msu_sitting_pretty_in_ccha_logjam