COLLEGE HOCKEY : Goalie Play Difference for Spartans

Michigan State came to Southern California with an 8-8-4 record, its worst start in a decade, but the Spartans are going home with momentum, a confidence boost and another Great Western Freeze-Out hockey championship.

The Spartans defeated No. 4 Boston College, 3-2, Friday night at the Forum despite being outshot, 42-18.

Walter Bartels scored the game-winner on a breakaway down the right side off a perfect feed from Kelly Harper 2 minutes 17 seconds into the final period. It was Bartels’ second goal of the season.

Five minutes later, Boston College’s best attempt to tie was thwarted by Spartan goaltender Mike Gilmore, who turned away two point-blank shots by David Emma on an Eagle power play.

With 7:30 remaining, Gilmore stopped Stephen Heinze on consecutive shots from the slot and gloved a slap shot by Ted Crowley.

In the final 36 seconds, Gilmore passed the final test in his 40-save performance. With Bartels in the penalty box and Eagle goalie Sandy Galuppo pulled for an extra attacker, Gilmore withstood a flurry of shots to preserve the victory.

“Goaltending was the main reason we won,” Michigan State Coach Ron Mason said. “When you’ve got a hot goalie like that, the other team thinks twice (about shooting).

“It’s the first time we’ve been outshot that badly and won. Boston College jumped out early, but the longer the game went on, the better we got. We’re definitely on the move.”

Michigan State’s Jason Wooley earned most valuable player honors with two goals and two assists in the tournament, including the game-winner in a 4-3 victory over Toronto on Thursday.

Boston College took the lead 11:05 into the first period on Joe Cleary’s slap shot from the right point.

Wooley’s power-play goal tied it at 16:35 of the first period.

At 9:39 of the second period, Michigan State took a 2-1 lead on Shawn Heaphy’s goal, but Callahan tied it with assists from Bill Guerin and Ron Pascucci, 2-2, at 16:02.

Minnesota outshot Toronto, 57-21, en route to a 7-5 victory in the consolation game.