Back on Track

"We definitely played a lot better defensively for sure. We worked on that all week - coverage and rushing the right way. That showed tonight." – Goaltender Jeff Lerg on the key to a 3-0 victory over Western Michigan.

EAST LANSING – A young, struggling team was just what the doctor ordered for Tim Kennedy. The Michigan State forward scored his first goal since late December in the Spartans 3-0 victory over Western Michigan Friday.

"It's been one of the most frustrating personal months of my life," Kennedy said of his 13-game goal-drought after the game.

Kennedy said he sees some similarities to last year's squad and hopes he and the team can replicate their championship run.

"This kind of happened last year, I was in a slump for a bit and then I got going towards the end of the season and then I got hot through the playoffs," he said. "I would have taken a goal that hit off my skates. I would have taken anything that they would have given me right now."

He didn't need that. Instead, he beat Bronco goaltender Jerry Kuhn for a shorthanded goal early in the third period, giving the Green and White some breathing room with a 2-0 lead. Kennedy followed that up with an assist on forward Chris Mueller's power play goal less than six minutes later, cementing the final score at 3-0. Forward Bryan Lerg scored the Spartans first goal.

Kennedy took six shots on the evening and appears to have found his groove along with his teammates. After losing three of four and getting swept last weekend, Kennedy said the win meant a lot.

"This is big for us because we need to get back on track," he said.

Spartan goaltender Jeff Lerg looks to have regained his form as well. After struggling the previous two weekends, he made 23 saves for win number 18 on the season. "I felt confident throughout. When my game is on, I feel confident," he said.

But overconfidence will put the Spartans right back where they were before beating the Broncos, who they play again today in Kalamazoo at 4:35 p.m. ET.

"We were supposed to win tonight, and tomorrow is going to be a lot tougher," Lerg said. "I think we are up for the challenge. We need to go out there and play a good road game."

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