MSU gets shootout point vs. Nanooks

The MSU hockey team’s long trip to Fairbanks, Alaska, wasn’t completely for naught.

Following a 2-0 loss to Alaska on Friday night, the Spartans responded with a 1-1 tie and shootout win Saturday.

MSU (17-10-5 overall, 12-7-5-2 CCHA) struggled offensively Friday, tallying only 16 shots in a 2-0 loss.

After a scoreless first period, the Nanooks — led by forward Dion Knelsen — took control of the game in the second period.

Knelsen scored both of Alaska’s goals in a span of 1:12. The first came at 9:14. He followed that with his second of the game, and 14th of the season, at 10:26, giving the Nanooks a stranglehold on the game.

The Spartans recorded seven shots in the first period but sputtered even further in the next two periods, recording five in the second and four in the third period.

Senior Bobby Jarosz got the start in goal for the Spartans. He made 22 saves in his first start since Dec. 11.

Saturday was another defensive nail-biter.

Knelsen again struck for Alaska, giving the Nanooks a 1-0 lead just past the midway point of the first period, but junior defenseman Jeff Petry responded with 33 seconds left in the period, scoring a power-play goal from freshman defenseman Zach Josepher and junior forward Corey Tropp.

Both teams were held off the score sheet and only three penalties were called the rest of the game.

Tropp got MSU started in the shootout with a goal but Alaska’s Ryan Hohl responded, beating sophomore goaltender Drew Palmisano.

Junior forward Andrew Rowe scored on MSU’s second attempt. Palmisano thwarted Alaska’s second attempt, setting up freshman forward Dean Chelios for the potential winner.

He was denied, but Palmisano stoned Knelsen on Alaska’s final attempt to win the shootout for the Spartans.

Palmisano made 28 saves for the Spartans, who have next weekend off.