Michigan state shuts out Alaska hockey, 1-0
February 26, 2013
Jamie Foland
907-474-6807
Despite holding a commanding 37-14 advantage in the shots on goal department, the Alaska Nanooks never found a way to light the lamp and the Michigan State Spartans held on for a 1-0 Central Collegiate Hockey Association victory Friday night at the Carlson Center.
MSU netminder Will Yanakef made 37 big saves and was the game's first star to improve to 4-6-1 between the pipes for the Spartans (10-20-3, 8-16-1-0 CCHA) while Alaska freshman John Keeney (Twin Peaks, Calif./Business administration) took the loss for the Nanooks (13-14-4, 11-13-3-1 CCHA) as he fell to 9-9-3 with his 13 stops.
The Nanooks had plenty of opportunities to manufacture goals but fell victim to five shots ricocheting off the pipe. They were also stonewalled in four man-advantage opportunities, including three in the final frame and a two-man advantage in the last 1:19 after the Blue and Gold pulled Keeney in favor of a sixth attacker.
The game's only goal was scored 7:53 into the game when Greg Wolfe worked the puck in front of the net and his shot made its way past Keeney, deflecting off the rookie netminder's skate across the goal line.
Alaska held on to sixth place in the league standings, heading into their final regular season CCHA game against the Spartans on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. They can finish no higher than sixth place, meaning they are still in contention to host a first round conference playoff sereis Mar. 8-10 at the Carlson Center.