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MSU, BG both looking for solid weekend

By Alex DiFilippo

Created:
02/25/10 8:30pm

Last updated:
02/25/10 8:30pm

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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.

Friday’s 4-1 loss at Ferris State was pathetic for the Spartans. Saturday’s game wasn’t much better, but MSU was able to squeak out the 3-2 win.

Bowling Green is coming off a big weekend against Notre Dame. The Falcons took five of six points from Notre Dame, but relied on strong third period play to do so.

Both coaches are wondering how to get their team to focus and put forth a solid, all-around weekend.

“With this conference, it’s always so close,” Bowling Green head coach Dennis Williams said. “The full 60 minutes is what you need. We can’t have any letups this weekend; that’s the difference. If we take a shift off, that’s the difference of (junior forward Corey) Tropp or (junior defenseman Jeff) Petry coming down and scoring.”

MSU head coach Rick Comley said he’s working hard to try and keep the Spartans mentally together as the season reaches its close.

“At times, you look at (your team) and say, ‘Where could their heads be?’” Comley said. “‘What possibly could be more important than this game tonight?’ They get on different things, and when you meet with them and say, ‘What’s going on?’ they say, ‘Oh, everything is fine.’ (I respond,) ‘Oh really? Then play.’”

Let’s not kid ourselves. MSU can’t afford to take Bowling Green lightly this weekend. The Falcons have been playing good hockey lately, and they play an extremely physical style. The Spartans need to play disciplined hockey this weekend and be sure not to let the Falcons get under their skin.

If MSU doesn’t get the job done on Friday night at home, they could be in big trouble Saturday night in Bowling Green.

Two wins would be huge for the Spartans and should solidify a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Anything less could leave MSU on the bubble.

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About Lighting the Lamp

Hockey reporter Dillon Davis takes you inside the MSU hockey team.

Follow Dillon on Twitter at @DillonDavis and the rest of The State News sports desk at @thesnews_sports.

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