TAMPA, Fla.- The Spartans returned to action on Sunday to take down the University of South Florida for the third consecutive time.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 4, USF 0

Records: Tampa (16-1-1), USF (8-7-1)

Location: AMALIE Arena | Tampa, FL

HOW IT HAPPENED GAME:

1st Period

•     The Spartans and Ice Bulls both got off to a slow start in the first.

•     USF took 4 minor penalties and were able to successfully kill each Spartan powerplay.

•     Neither team could find the net in the first with the Bulls and Spartans knotted at 0.

2nd Period

• Midway through the 2nd period, while the Spartans were killing a 2-minute minor penalty, Josey Davis jumped on a loose puck and scored on a short-handed break away to get the scoring started.
• Just 4 minutes later, the Spartans found themselves on a 3-on-1 rush where sophomore, Ryan Andrews made the pass to Billy Cody who scored the goal to make it 2-0 Spartans.
• The second period would end still 2-0 with the shots at 30-12 also in favor of Tampa.

3rd Period

• The third period was another defensive one for both the Spartans and the Ice Bulls.
• With 13 minutes remaining, the Spartans took their 5th minor penalty of the game and were forced to kill yet another penalty.
• A goal would not come until the 16th minute of the third when sophomore forward, Jake Karant sprung loose on a pass from Matthew Needleman, who retrieved the puck off the blocker of junior goaltender, Joe Bagi.
• Joe Bagi had a stellar night in goal for the Spartans in which he saved all 20 USF shots on goal. 

UP NEXT:

•     The Spartans host Hofstra University in a 3 game series starting on January 21st.

•     Stay tuned for postseason updates and information about the 2021-2022 season.

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