The Big Ten's Michigan representatives travel to the great state of Massachusetts this weekend to take on a couple of Hockey East foes in the next stage of the B1G/HE Challenge.
Last weekend wasn't a good one for the Big Ten, but the Michigan schools helped salvage some of the damage. While OSU and Wisconsin were both swept by Miami and Northern and Penn State went 0-1-1 in Alaska, the Spartans and Wolverines each earned a split. Still, even with a .500 weekend, there was still much more to be desired out of the in-state rivals.
Michigan State opened their season strong Friday night, taking care of the Minutemen of Amherst 5-3, and looked to be on their way to a series sweep Saturday. That was, until the final five minutes. In addition to the graphics board freezing, the new refrigeration system busting, causing the third period to be played on slush, and a less than stellar pep band, MSU gave up a goal to tie the game at 3-3 with five minutes remaining. With four minutes left, the Spartans earned a five minute major for contact to the head. Despite this, the penalty kill played strong and looked like they were at least going to get the game into overtime before UMass scored with 10 seconds left to get the 4-3 win.
Michigan had opposite results. On Friday they were blown out 5-1 by UNH before splitting the series Saturday with a close 2-1 victory. Tacking on a loss long ago against Ferris, the Wolverines are 1-2-0 on the year.
The Terriers of Boston U were off last weekend, but come into the Big Ten crossover series with a 1-0-0 record after blowing out UMass 8-1.
Lowell got three points from a non-con series with Quinnipiac, taking Friday's game in Lowell 6-3 before tying 3-3 in Hamden on Saturday. With a 5-2 win over BC to start the season, the Riverhawks are off to a great 2-0-1 start.
Michigan will head to Lowell to play on Friday, while the Spartans will be playing BU at Agganis. Saturday will be MSU at Lowell and UM at Boston U.
I would be happy with just a tie from the Spartans this weekend. We got a win out of BU last season, but they look greatly improved and obviously played better against UMass than we did.
Last weekend wasn't a good one for the Big Ten, but the Michigan schools helped salvage some of the damage. While OSU and Wisconsin were both swept by Miami and Northern and Penn State went 0-1-1 in Alaska, the Spartans and Wolverines each earned a split. Still, even with a .500 weekend, there was still much more to be desired out of the in-state rivals.
Michigan State opened their season strong Friday night, taking care of the Minutemen of Amherst 5-3, and looked to be on their way to a series sweep Saturday. That was, until the final five minutes. In addition to the graphics board freezing, the new refrigeration system busting, causing the third period to be played on slush, and a less than stellar pep band, MSU gave up a goal to tie the game at 3-3 with five minutes remaining. With four minutes left, the Spartans earned a five minute major for contact to the head. Despite this, the penalty kill played strong and looked like they were at least going to get the game into overtime before UMass scored with 10 seconds left to get the 4-3 win.
Michigan had opposite results. On Friday they were blown out 5-1 by UNH before splitting the series Saturday with a close 2-1 victory. Tacking on a loss long ago against Ferris, the Wolverines are 1-2-0 on the year.
The Terriers of Boston U were off last weekend, but come into the Big Ten crossover series with a 1-0-0 record after blowing out UMass 8-1.
Lowell got three points from a non-con series with Quinnipiac, taking Friday's game in Lowell 6-3 before tying 3-3 in Hamden on Saturday. With a 5-2 win over BC to start the season, the Riverhawks are off to a great 2-0-1 start.
Michigan will head to Lowell to play on Friday, while the Spartans will be playing BU at Agganis. Saturday will be MSU at Lowell and UM at Boston U.
I would be happy with just a tie from the Spartans this weekend. We got a win out of BU last season, but they look greatly improved and obviously played better against UMass than we did.
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