Perlini and Palmisano shine for final home games

For the nine MSU hockey seniors, the largest class since 1977-78, it was important they left a mark for their final series at Munn Ice Arena.

Sweeping Alaska for a crucial six points that vaulted the team in the CCHA standings, MSU now might have an advantage when it comes to the fight for a first-round bye in the conference playoffs.

Eight of the nine seniors were on the ice at some point during the series, but none made quite the impact that forward Brett Perlini and goaltender Drew Palmisano did.

Perlini’s moment in the spotlight came on Friday, when he scored a goal three minutes into overtime to give the Spartans a 3-2 win. He finished the series with one goal and one assist and also claimed the top star in Friday’s matchup.

Palmisano notched 27 saves in Saturday’s game while leading the Spartans to a 3-0 victory his sixth career shutout.

“I thought our players would play hard for him,” head coach Tom Anastos said about the decision to start the senior. “Palmisano’s a leader on this team. He doesn’t wear a letter on his jersey, but he’s a leader on this team, and the guys respond to him. So I wasn’t surprised at all with their performance tonight.”