MSU hockey puts together spirited showing in 2-1 loss to Denver

EAST LANSING – Michigan State’s hockey team Friday night looked like a different group than last weekend.

The Spartans put together a spirited and competitive showing against sixth-ranked Denver, including a late goal and a desperate final flurry. But two third-period Denver goals, the first on a turnover, did MSU in, 2-1, at Munn Ice Arena.

MSU (0-3) and Denver (3-2) meet again at 5 p.m. Saturday at Munn in the series finale.

The Spartans — who gave up 13 goals in two games at Lake Superior State last week — outplayed the more skilled Pioneers for parts of the second and third periods. But a turnover on a line change early in the third proved costly, setting up Denver’s Henrick Bergstrom from the left side at 5:33. Denver’s Jarid Lukosevicius made it 2-0 at 16:25.

MSU’s Mason Appleton found freshman Patrick Khodorenko for a one-timer with 80 seconds left to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Between Denver’s two goals, MSU Zach Osburn hit the crossbar on a shot from close range that would have tied it and changed the complexion of the game.

Denver outshot MSU, 26-20. Ed Minney made 24 saves for the Spartans.

A thousand or so of the more than 5,419 fans Friday night were students attending The Izzone camp-out on Munn Field, allowed into the game free. Many took advantage on a chilly night.