Box Score

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Western Michigan's hockey team fell to No. 8 Michigan State 3-0 on Friday night in front of 6,382 at Munn Ice Arena.

The Spartans came out firing in the first period, getting off five shots in the first four minutes. The game-winning goal by MSU came with under a minute remaining in the first period on a shot by Bryan Lerg. Lerg's shot came from the middle of the right circle and beat WMU (7-21-3, 3-18-2 CCHA) goaltender Jerry Kuhn over his glove for his 16th goal of the season. Tim Crowder and Brandon Gentile each earned assists and after firing off 18 shots in the first period the Spartans took a 1-0 lead into the locker room.

The Broncos out shot the Spartans 11-8 in the second period but were unable to get one past MSU goalie Jeff Lerg. The Brown & Gold had the man advantage three times in the second period and managed five shots on the power play but MSU (19-8-5, 15-5-3) held firm. The Bronco defense limited the chances for the Spartans and blocked eight shots in the period but neither team was able to score.

Michigan State pushed the lead, 2-0, early in the third period on a short-handed goal by Tim Kennedy. Daniel Vukovic and [Jeff] Lerg each picked up assists on the goal.

The Spartans added another goal midway through the third period. The power play goal was sored by Chris Mueller and it ended the Broncos penalty kill streak at 18 consecutive killed. Kennedy and Justin Abdelkader each picked up assists on Mueller's seventh goal of the season.

Kuhn finished the game with 36 saves and his MSU counterpart finished with 23 to earn the shutout and put an end to Michigan State's two game losing streak.

The Broncos host Michigan State on Saturday at 4:35 p.m. on Hockey Day in Michigan and the game will be televised on Fox Sports Detroit.