Spartans physical, Richard scores as college play begins

If the first game of the 2024-25 season is any indication, the Michigan State top defensive pair comprised of sophomores Maxim Strbak and Patrick Geary are going to be a very active and very punishing duo to compete against in college hockey this season.

Strbak recorded three shots on goal Friday as the pair finished the game a plus-one in the Spartans’ 2-1 overtime victory at Lake Superior State, but it was their physicality in the defensive zone that was noteworthy. Both Strbak and Geary were banging bodies and winning battles from the get-go and it continued throughout the game.

Midway through the second period period, Geary earned himself a five-minute sit-down for delivering a high, hard cross-check to Lake State forward Timo Bakos. Geary, who has a natural rough-and-tumble defensive posture especially below the goal line, was doing a lot of pushing and shoving after the whistle and was going at it verbally with Lake State all throughout the period. It seemed the escalation was inevitable.

The two clubs will complete the series Saturday at 4:00 ET.

Elsewhere on college hockey’s opening night, Jake Richard tipped home his first goal of the season as Connecticut opened the schedule with a 4-2 victory over Colgate. Richard, who began his collegiate career a season ago with a three-game point streak, will look to add to his early season stack when the Huskies and Raiders play it back on Saturday.

In Sweden, Topias Leinonen made 20 saves on 22 shots for his second-straight victory as Mora outworked Vimmerby. Leinonen improves to 3-1 on the season with a 2.52 GAA and .880 save%.

In the Ontario Hockey League, Ethan Miedema batted home a rebound for his second goal of the season and added three assists as Kingston steamrolled North Bay 9-0. It was the first multi-point effort for Miedema this season. He had seven games with multiple points a season ago.

In the QMJHL, Simon-Pier Brunet registered a power-play assist to extend his season-opening point streak to three games as Drummondville defeated Baie-Comeau 4-1.

In WHL play, Norwin Panocha logged a minus-one rating as Prince Albert dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to Everett.

In USHL action, Vasily Zelenov recorded one assist as Green Bay blanked Omaha 3-0. Zelenov has points in two straight games.

Youngstown defender Luke Osburn finished minus-two with a high sticking minor as the Phantoms were doubled by Cedar Rapids 4-2.