Win Puts Spartans in Third

Michigan State extended their conference road uneaten streak to nine games with a 4-1 victory against Ohio State Friday night.

Leading the scoring for the Spartans was forward Tim Crowder, who notched one goal and an assist. Goalie Jeff Lerg was solid in net for Michigan State, stopping 27 of 28 Buckeye shots.

Value City Arena's largest crowd (9,195) of the season was quieted early with a Bryan Lerg power play goal at 2:06 in the first period. Lerg took the rebound from a Tim Crowder shot and beat Buckeye goalie Joseph Palmer five hole..

After Crowder added to the Spartan lead with his ninth goal of the season, Buckeye senior forward Tommy Goble poked a rebound past his former teammate Jeff Lerg to make it 2-1 at the end of the first period.

The Green and White added to their lead when Nick Sucharski scored his third goal in as many games. He deposited a backhand past Palmer at 4:09 in the second period for a 3-1 Spartan lead.

At the other end of the ice, Lerg did all he could to protect the lead. In the second period, he rejected a Patrick Schafer laser shot from the right circle, then quickly recovered to stop the ensuing rebound to keep the score 3-1.

Forward Justin Abdelkader erased any doubt with an empty net goal in the final minute for a 4-1 Spartan win.

In the victory, Michigan State was able to kill two penalties, and have now killed 21 consecutivepower plays.

The win, coupled with a Notre Dame loss to Michigan, lifts the Spartans into third in the CCHA. They now trail co-leaders Michigan and Miami by just four points.

Michigan State will seek their tenth-straight road win in a rematch with the Buckeyes tonight.

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