Calderone’s hat trick leads Michigan to Thursday night win over MSU

By @MichaelCaples –

ANN ARBOR – Round 1 goes to Mel – with lots of help from his captain.

In the first game of the Mel Pearson vs. Danton Cole era of the storied rivalry between Michigan and Michigan State, the Wolverines prevailed 4-0 at Yost Ice Arena.

Three of those goals came from captain Tony Calderone, as the Wolverines captain and Trenton native welcomed some hats onto the Red Berenson Rink after icing the game with two third-period goals.

Hayden Lavigne recorded the shutout while also finding his way onto the scoresheet with a tripping penalty in the final minute. The sophomore netminder made 21 save in the win.

Adding to the collection of storylines was Josh Norris scoring the game’s first goal – the Wolverines freshman is the son of former MSU hockey star Dwayne Norris.

With the victory, the Wolverines improve 7-6-2 on the season, while the Spartans drop to 7-9-1.

The game started with the appearance of a tight affair, as the two teams combined for 17 shots but no goals.

It was Norris breaking the tie at the 7:38 mark of the middle frame. The Oxford native and San Jose first-round pick tipped a point shot from Joe Cecconi past Lethemon.

Roughly eight minutes later, Calderone was the beneficiary of Cooper Marody’s quick poke check after a broken play; the Wolverines’ captain had plenty of time and nobody between him and Lethemon. A deke to the backhand gave him enough space between Lethemon’s pad and the left post to score the game’s second goal.

Calderone added to his totals in the third, first scoring on a one-timer play with Marody at the 10:14 mark, then another quick strike just above the MSU crease at the 16:32 mark.

His three-goal outburst moves him into a four-way tie for the national lead in goal-scoring.