Friday night, Michigan State welcomed new coach Rick Comley in the same way they bid farewell to his predecessor, Ron Mason: with a shutout loss.
Denver gave Spartan netminder Justin Tobe a trial by ice, as the Pioneers flamed the Spartans for a 5-0 win Friday in the first game of the Maverick Stampede.
The Spartans, at times, seemed out of their element, perhaps suffering from post-Mason syndrome. Denver was able to break a typically tight Green and White defensive screen, spreading the lamp love among five different players.
“Our puck movement was good, we put them in some footraces and established the pace and tempo we wanted to play at,” Dubielewicz said. “Tonight we were a step ahead of where I thought we’d be.”
Tobe, a 17-year-old rookie out of Northville, Mich., starting his first career college hockey game, made 30 of 35 saves, while Denver senior Wade Dubielewicz made 21 saves to earn his sixth career shutout.
The outcome marked just the fourth time since the 1999-2000 season that Michigan State has allowed five or more goals.
Greg Barber, who was credited with the game winner, added an assist as well. Barber was one of three Pioneers with two points in the game, as Kevin Ulanski and Kevin Doell each had two assists.
Denver plays Nebraska-Omaha for the Omaha Cup Saturday night. Michigan State will play Colgate in the consolation game.
