Bailey Conger scored twice and Matt Vernon made 26 saves in his collegiate debut to lead Colorado College to a 3-1 victory over Michigan State Friday at the Broadmoor World Arena.
 
Conger opened the scoring with his first goal as a Tiger during a delayed penalty at the 12:57 mark of the first period. The transfer from Providence College moved across the slot and deflected a shot by Bryan Yoon past MSU goalie Drew DeRidder. Sophomore Jackson Ross collected his first career point with the secondary assist.
 
After the Spartans' Jagger Joshua was called for a five-minute interference call at the 16:40 mark of the first period, Grant Cruikshank took a cross-ice pass from Chris Wilkie and buried a shot from the right circle with 15 seconds remaining in the frame to make it 2-0. Yoon gathered his second helper of the game on the play.
 
Following a scoreless second period, Conger notched his second of the game 1:14 into the third period. He crashed the right side of the net and hit the post with a shot, but collected the rebound and went behind the net to put in a wraparound past DeRidder. Sam Renlund collected his first career point with an assist and Erik Middendorf posted his first point of the season.
 
Vernon was stellar throughout the game and made his best save of the night on a Michigan State power play early in the third period. Jerad Rosburg took a cross-ice pass at the top of the right circle and fired a rocket towards the top right corner of the net, but Vernon slid through the crease to make an outstanding glove save and keep the lead at three.
 
The Spartans averted the shutout with a power-play goal by Mitchell Lewandowski with 1:03 remaining in the contest.
 
What Head Coach Mike Haviland Said
"It was a happy locker room. I thought we played a real good hockey game. I don't think it was many chances, that's what we talked about, trying to limit teams' chances after Minnesota, and I think we did a good job."
 
(on Vernon)
"I thought he played great. He's very poised in there. He competes. His rebound control, I thought, was really good and he made the saves he needed to make. But I thought we played good in front of him too. It's a good sign all the way around."
 
Three Stars of the Game
1. Bailey Conger, Colorado College (2g)
2. Matt Vernon, Colorado College (26 saves)
3. Bryan Yoon, Colorado College (2a)
 
Colorado College Notes
Vernon, Renlund and Jackson Ross each made his first career appearance
Conger and Middendorf led all players with four shots apiece
Wilkie has at least one point in all three games this season and leads the team with six points (3g,3a)
Alex Berardinelli and Zach Berzolla led the Tigers with three blocks apiece
CC was 1-for-4 on the power play
 
Michigan State Notes
DeRidder finished with 21 saves
Tommy Miller led the Gophers with three blocked shots
Michigan State was 1-for-2 on the power play
The Spartans outshot CC, 27-24
 
Up Next
Colorado College hosts Michigan State on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m., at the Broadmoor World Arena.