NMU Hockey team loses at MSU

Courtesy of NMU Athletics

EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Northern Michigan University hockey team fell 4-2 to Michigan State on Saturday (Feb. 16) night from Munn Ice Arena. The Spartans earned the Central Collegiate Hockey Association series split by scoring three straight goals in the third period after trailing 2-1.

With the loss, NMU falls to 13-15-4 overall and 7-13-4-1 in the CCHA. MSU is now 9-20-3 overall and 7-16-1 in conference play.

Senior forward Brian Nugent gave Northern the 2-1 lead 5:06 into the third period with his first goal of the season. The goal was unassisted and his third career goal against the Spartans.

Michael Ferrantino tied it up at two 4:43 later, blasting in a rebound after junior goaltender Jared Coreau saved a shot by Ryan Keller. RJ Boyd also assisted on the goal.

Chris Forfar then scored the game-winner from Lee Reimer and Greg Wolfe less than two minutes later. Tanner Sorenson added an empty-net goal with 48 seconds left to seal the win after NMU added the extra attacker.

Freshman Mitch Jones scored his second of the season to open the scoring 15:55 into the game. He took a wrist shot from the blueline that fluttered into the back of the net. Nugent picked up his second assist on the weekend and senior defenseman Scott Macaulay picked up the secondary helper.

Lee Reimer tied the game at one when he got open on a shorthanded breakaway early (3:24) in the second period. Wolfe fed the puck up the middle and Boyd also assisted.

MSU outshot Northern 43-20. Coreau finished with 39 saves on the night, including 19 in the first and 15 in the third periods. Jake Hildebrand stopped 18 shots for the home team.

NMU killed off two power plays, including a five-minute major. Northern was 0-for-4 on the power play after four minor MSU penalties.

Northern takes to the road again next weekend to Bowling Green for its final CCHA road series of the season.