Michigan State Spartans Slay Mavericks

In these teams only match up in NCRHA history, Michigan State would attempt to set a slow pace for the game as they controlled the puck in their own zone for the first minute of the game.  The Mavericks would have none of that,  as a quick strike from Ryan Cantrel (1 G) assisted by Mike Mania (1 A) would open up the scoring after a minute of play.  Seconds later #93 Dylan Page (1 A, 2 PIM) was caught checking (which is illegal in roller hockey) and would give the Spartans their first power play opportunity of the night.  All it would take is twenty seconds for the Spartans to set up a pretty tic-tac-toe style goal led by a pass from the high slot to Bryan Genrich in the bottom of the right circle to Ken Jung in the low slot who would split the legs of sliding net minder Dustin Menko (28 S, 8 G).

 

After this quick foray of goals Michigan would again control the puck in their own zone, protecting the puck behind the cage.  A quick break down the rink resulted in a 2 on 1 in traffic where #89 Matt Miller (1G) would make a sliding save to break up the play.  He quickly broke the puck to Mania would blast a shot from the right boards but come up short of the twine.

 

Dylan, after serving his time in the box found an opportune time to display his playmaking ability.  With 7:24 remaining in the first Dylan would beat his man through the slot, flash a quick juke to the left and hit a crashing #16 Cameron Crocket (1 G) who would slam the puck home home.   

 

Two minutes later #23 Ken Jung (4G, 1A, 4 PIM) of State would blast one from the top of the circles on a pass from #7 Mike Makert (4A).  With two minutes remaining #6 Eric Lubanski (2PIM) from State would was called with a tripping penalty and State would go on the defensive to keep the game tied at two a piece.  State would win the ensuing face off and rip a slapper off the posts.  UTA would return with a full court rush, only to have their shot blocked by Mackert.  Mackert caught Ken Jung breaking down the rink.  Jung would face a lone UTA player.  In a display of great stick work Jung would dangle the puck between the lone UTA defenders legs, causing the defender to turn, and then pull the puck back to himself making room to roof the puck over the Mengo?s right shoulder to give State the 3-2 advantage while shorthanded.

 

 #79 Seth Rogers (2G) would immediately follow up with another shorthanded opportunity for State, with a blast from the top of the left circle.  However, he would only serve to wear out the UTA crest on the keeper?s jersey.  Mackert would tie the puck up along the boards in the UTA zone to finish off the penalty.

 

Seconds after the expiration of the penalty, State would bring the puck down two on one.  Rogers would feed the puck under the defenders stick and connect with Jung who faced a nearly empty net.  State would take a 4-2 lead with two minutes left in the first period.  State controled the puck for the remainder of the period.

 

Arlington?s #4 Chris Watson would score his only goal 3 minutes into the second period by picking up a backhand rebound from his own shot.  Thirty second later Ryan Luscombe of State (2 PIM) would be called for high sticking.  UTA only managed two shots on net during the man advantage.  Michigan would have just as many shots, but score one more, as the tag team of Jung and Mackert would give State a 5-3 lead.

 

With four minutes remaining in the second UTA would dumped the puck around the boards on States end.  Miller would beat State to the puck and then beat State out the corner.  With one defender low to cover two attackers, Miller walked the puck into the slot and with less than a foot of room to work, he roofed the puck over #35 Dave Cohen (26 SA 4 GA 1A).

 

The Spartans would follow up seconds later with a ringer off the post but no goal.  It wouldn?t be until five seconds remained in the period when Genrich (2G 1A) would receive a pass from his own goaltender and score glove side against Menko who couldn?t see through two tied up players in the slot.  State would take a 6-4 lead into the third period.

 

Less than a minute into the final frame Rogers would score with a snapshot from the lower half of the right circle on a pass from #15 Eric Phillips (1A), giving State a 7-4 lead.

 

UTA and State would exchange a hooking and a roughing penalty respectively.  UTA was unable to capitalize on their last opportunity to tie up the game.  State was also unable to score although their power play looked much like a shooting gallery as the Spartans fired over seven shots.

 

States 8^th and final goal would come at the seven minute mark off the stick of Genrich who picked up a rebound on a shot from Mackert.  The remaining minutes of the game would be rather unfruitful as both teams exchanged only a few shots.  Rogers of UTA would make one final attempt to lessen the deficit by splitting two State defenders only to find himself out of room to take a shot.  

 

The buzzer would sound while the Spartans held an 8-4 lead.  State advances to the Final Four to face off against returning champions Lindenwood University.