Michigan State takes three points from road trip

Sophomore goaltender Joe Blackburn almost blacked out Northern Michigan on Saturday night, helping the Spartans earn a 1-1 tie in Marquette.

Blackburn made a career-high 36 saves, including two in overtime, pushing the Spartans' unbeaten streak to 14 games.

Along with Michigan State's 4-1 victory at Lake Superior on Friday night, the Spartans took three of a possible four points on their weekend trip to Michigan's upper peninsula. They also kept a two-point lead over second-place Michigan, although they have played one more game than the Wolverines.

Playing without freshman Andrew Hutchinson, who is out with a sprained left knee, and due to the lingering effects of a hit senior Jeff Kozakowski sustained Friday night, the Michigan State defense was reduced to five players Saturday.

Still, the two teams played a fast but physical game through two periods, with neither able to light up the scoreboard. Michigan State's defense played its best during a Northern Michigan 5-on-3 power play early in the second period.

Referee Steve Piotrowski called a large number of penalties, leading to Northern Michigan getting on the board first, thanks to defenseman Doug Schmidt's fifth goal of the season. But the Spartans responded on a power play of their own with a minute of 5-on-3 advantage.

Senior center Mike York then scored as the power play expired, knotting the score at 1.

Michigan State's Shawn Horcoff extended his point-scoring streak to a career-best seven games.

The Spartans (14-2-4 CCHA, 20-3-4 overall) are now 3-0-1 on the year against Northern Michigan.

Lake Superior 3, Notre Dame 1

Lake Superior goaltender Mike Brusseau made 24 saves and several unlikely Lakers came up with timely goals as they averted a sweep of the season series with the Fighting Irish with a 3-1 victory Saturday night.

Notre Dame's injury woes have become a code red situation. Notre Dame has now lost five top players in senior right wing Brian Urick, junior defenseman Tyson Fraser, junior winger John Dwyer and sophomore defenseman Ryan Clark.

The loss dropped Notre Dame (11-6-2,14-7-3) into fourth place in the CCHA, a point behind Ohio State and a point ahead of Ferris State.

Notre Dame also now trails Michigan State by eight points and Michigan by six.

Lake Superior (3-13-2, 4-17-3) recorded two huge points leading to a three-way tie for ninth place in the conference.

- Compiled by Daily Sports Writer Mark Francescutti

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01-25-99