COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado College was never able to get its offense flowing on Friday night, losing to defending champion Michigan State in the first round of the West Regional 3-1at the World Arena.
In what started out to be a sloppy game with eight penalties and only 14 shots on goal in the first period — 12 by CC — defense and goaltending proved to be the key to victory.
The star of the game was Spartan goaltender Jeff Lerg. He fended off an onslaught of 41 shots by the Tigers, making 42 saves.
“Jeff Lerg played up to his accomplishments from last year, and everything else he’s done in terms of a big game goalie,” CC coach Scott Owens said.
Lerg and teammate Jeff Petry both have asthma, and playing at altitude was a concern. The pair had to use breathing treatments in the locker room after each period.
The Tigers hadn’t allowed a power-play goal since Jan. 12, and followed suit in the first period, killing all four of Michigan State’s opportunities.
That all changed in the second. The first two goals of the period came while the Tigers were short-handed.
“The things I thought could hurt us in this game came back and hurt us,” Owens said. “It was Lerg, their power-play goals and a breakdown with seven seconds to go (in the second period).”
The Spartans increased their lead to three after a goal by senior Chris Mueller with seven seconds left.
“It felt good getting that third goal,” Mueller said. “Especially with Jeff Lerg (in net). It’s tough to get one by him, let alone four, to lose a hockey game.”
The Tiger home crowd of 6,287 finally had a reason to erupt at the 12:07 mark of the third when Derek Patrosso put CC on the board, ensuring that the Tigers wouldn’t be shut out for the first time this season. It would be too little, too late.
The goal stopped Lerg’s playoff shutout streak at 87:15, which dated back to last year’s championship game.
Michigan State’s two shots on goal was their lowest of the season in a period. The Spartans are now 22-1-2 when scoring the first goal of the game.
In a big upset, fourth-seeded Notre Dame knocked off the top seed New Hampshire 7-3 in the early game.
The Fighting Irish broke out of their scoring woes with a seven-goal performance, after scoring only four in their last three games combined.
Star New Hampshire goaltender Kevin Regan allowed five goals for only the third time this season.
The Colorado College fans cheered as the Irish added two empty-net goals to close the book on the Wildcats’ season.
The Fighting Irish (25-11-5) advance to the regional championship game to face Michigan State (25-15-4) at 8 p.m. Saturday night at World Arena.
The winner advances to the Frozen Four at Pepsi Center.
