EAST LANSING, Mich- The Michigan State hockey team lost the second game of their two game series against Miami, and was swept for the second straight weekend, losing 3-1 to the Redhawks.

Two third period goals by the RedHawks put the game out of reach for the Spartans as they were held scoreless into the 11:40 mark of the third period.

The Spartans have now lost four straight games and has scored just five goals in their last five games. They haven’t won a game outright since Halloween.

“We gotta keep the attitude in the locker room positive and make sure guys aren’t getting too down," senior goaltender Jeff Lerg said. "I know it’s frustrating; no one likes to lose, especially two straight weekends of not being able to score at key times, which is frustrating.

“They worked really hard tonight to score; it’s just one of those nights. Their goaltender made a couple real nice saves and we just can’t find a way to get it over the line.”

Justin Mercier put the RedHawks in front with a goal at the 15:09 mark of the second. Mercier got by MSU defenseman Brock Shelgren and took a shot, which bounced off Lerg’s stick into the net.

The Green and White had many quality scoring chances but their scoring woes continued, as they couldn’t get the puck to bounce in the net. MSU went 0-for-6 on the power play and 0-for-14 for the series, leaving them 5-for-60 on the season.

RedHawk freshman netminder Conner Knapp finished with 24 saves; Lerg had 20.

Midway through the second, the Spartans made two stops to keep the game scoreless. A surging Justin Vaive split two MSU defenders, only to be stopped by Lerg who knocked the puck away with his stick. About a minute later, Tim Crowder helped the Spartans break up a 3-1 chance by the RedHawks.

A late Miami penalty to Matt Tomassoni in the second, gave the Spartans several chances on net. Andrew Conboy missed a chance on a one-timer in front of the net. His frustration showed as he slammed his stick on the ice during a line change.

Next, Jeff Petry fired a shot from the point, but Knapp stopped it and Crowder couldn’t capitalize on a rebound. After the next face-off, Knapp lost his balance on the puck and fell down, leaving the net wide open, but no Green and White jerseys were in front of the net. Andrew Rowe had a chance as well, but no one was there to grab the rebound.

“We just gotta keep plugging away until the puck starts to go in,” MSU head coach Rick Comley said. “We just gotta take our lumps right now and move forward.”

Miami took a two-goal lead at the 9:40 mark. Brandon Smith scored off a screen as Spartan defenseman Jeff Petry was trying to break up the play.

Corey Tropp cut Miami’s lead to one at the 11:40 mark of the third. Crowder won the face-off in the RedHawks zone, and Tropp picked up the loose puck, firing past Knapp from the left circle.

Early in the third, Lerg made several sprawling stops to keep it a one-goal game, setting up a surge for the Spartans fourth line. Kurt Kivisto fired a shot from the right circle and Gazely and Warda attempted to put rebounds past Knapp with no success.

The scoreless first period saw a greater emphasis on moving the puck and less on the physical play that dominated Friday’s game.

The Spartans couldn’t capitalize an early advantage as the RedHawks took two penalties in the first six minutes. MSU swarmed in front of the net for some early chances, but were stopped by Knapp.

Spartan freshman Ben Warda had two good chances in the period. Early on he missed a chance in front in the slot and later on missed a chance from the right circle as senior Kurt Kivisto screened Knapp.

Miami added an empty net goal from Carter Camper at 19:19.