PORTLAND, Me. — The first game of the Ice Breaker between North Dakota and Lake Superior State saw three special-team goals.
That was just the warm-up act.
The nightcap saw five more as Michigan State used three-power play tallies to draw even with Maine 3-3.
Maine struck early with a power-play goal by Will Merchant just 3:10 into the game.
The Spartans answered back with a power-play goal of their own when Zach Osburn fired a shot from the point past Matt Morris to even the score at 1-1. Michigan State outshot the Black Bears 13-7 in the opening frame.
The Black Bears dominated play early in the second period and finally broke through when Brian Morgan redirected an Eric Schurhamer pass from the point past Jake Hildebrand at 10:40.
Then began the March of the Black Bears as three Maine players were sent off in 90 seconds. Michigan State stole the momentum back and peppered Morris with attempt after attempt, but the keeper was equal to the task.
Both goalies were stellar in the middle frame, with Hildebrand stopping 13 of the 14 shots he faced, while Morris snagged all 16 that came his way.
Michigan State struck early in the third after Rob Michel was whistled off for slashing. Just 24 seconds later, MSU found the equalizer as Joe Cox slammed a JT Stenglein rebound past Morris.
The Black Bears once again went up by a goal when Mark Hamilton fed Cam Brown, who then dished to Blaine Byron for a shorthanded goal.
However, it was a play Byron made a few minutes later that had Maine coach Red Gendron beside himself.
Already serving a penalty for hooking, Byron played the puck as he came out of the box. He was immediately whistled for interference because he still had one foot in the box according to on-ice officials. Michigan State used its 11th power play of the night to score the tying goal with just 1:09 remaining.
“We had more practice killing 5-on-3s in one game than we had all of last season,” Gendron remarked.
The game officially ended in a 3-3 tie, but Maine fans were sent home happy when Steven Swavely scored the lone goal in the shootout.
“It feels like a win,” Swavely said.
“When things work out, you feel great,” Michigan State coach Tom Anastos said. “It was difficult to get into a flow, but we competed hard out there.”
