Gophers men's hockey preview

Last update: November 29, 2008 - 12:25 AM

MICHIGAN STATE AT GOPHERS

When: 7 tonight at Mariucci Arena

Records: Gophers, 7-2-4 overall; Michigan State 4-9-2 after Friday's games

TV, radio: Big Ten Network, 950-AM tonight

Quick fact: This is the second night of the annual College Hockey Showcase, a weekend event pitting the Gophers and Wisconsin of the WCHA against Michigan State and Michigan of the CCHA.

Gophers at a glance: Last season Minnesota and MSU tied 3-3 in the showcase when they played in East Lansing, Mich. ... The Gophers lead the all-time series with the Spartans 100-41-10. It dates to 1951. ... Backup goalie Kent Patterson saw his first action of the season Friday night when coach Don Lucia pulled Alex Kangas, who had played every minute this season. But Lucia said Kangas will start tonight. ... Minnesota has next weekend off before Colorado College, the defending WCHA regular-season champion, visits Dec. 13 and 14.

Spartans at a glance: After a 4-2-2 start, Michigan State has lost seven games in a row. That's the program's longest losing streak since 1981. ... In those seven losses, the Spartans have six goals, the team's worst drought ever. ... Last weekend Nebraska-Omaha swept MSU 7-1 and 3-1. ... Senior forwards Matt Schepke (5-2-7) and Tim Crowder (2-5-7) were leading the team in scoring going into this weekend. ... The Spartans' power play was 0-for-37 until a Schepke goal with a man advantage in the last game. ... Senior goalie Jeff Lerg, who led Michigan State to the NCAA title in 2007 and was one of 10 Hobey Baker finalists last season, remains solid. He had a 3-7-1 record with a 2.54 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage coming into the showcase. ... Veteran Rick Comley is the Spartans' coach; his career record is 743-568-97 over 36 seasons, seven at MSU.

Roman Augustoviz

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