Devils Top Oilers, 5-3, in Matinee

The New Jersey Devils continued their early-season roll by besting the Edmonton Oilers, 5-3, today in an NHL matinee at the Prudential Center in Newark.

Brett Pesce (New Hampshire) assisted on the Devils' game-opening goal in the second period, while Jack Roslovic (Miami) had an assist for the Oilers on their first goal, after the Devils had taken a 2-1 lead. Luke Glendening (Michigan) notched four hits in all and also helped set up New Jersey's third goal, which came shorthanded. 

New Jersey outshot Edmonton, 30-23, on the afternoon, while the Oilers won 29 out of 50 faceoffs overall. The two teams will finish their two-game season series on Jan. 20 in Alberta.

Red Wings Bounce Devils, 4-3

Michigan State and Michigan teamed up to knock down the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night in Detroit.

With the game at Little Caesar's Arena tied at 2-2 in the third period, Detroit Red wings forward Luke Glendening (Michigan) blocked a pass by Devils defenseman Will Butcher (Denver) while the Red Wings were killing off a penalty. Glendening then skated down the left side before letting go with a shot at Devils netminder Cory Schneider (Boston College). Schneider made the save, but the rebound was put home by Justin Abeldelkader (Michigan State) with 7:10 remaining in regulation to give the home team the lead for good in a 4-3 victory, Detroit's third straight triumph overall. New Jersey has lost five of its last six outings after winning its first four games this fall.

Schneider finished with 27 saves in his first NHL start since undergoing off-season hip surgery, which was followed by three rehabilitation appearances with Binghamton (AHL). Travis Zajac (North Dakota) posted two assists for the Devils on Thursday, including one on a second-period goal by Blake Coleman (Miami). Jimmy Howard (Maine) finished with 25 stops for Detroit, while Dylan Larkin (Michigan) set up two goals for the Red Wings.

The two teams will meet again on Nov. 18 in New Jersey.

Michigan vs. Michigan State for 2011 GLI Title

College hockey's most-played rivalry will take center ice at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit on Friday when No. 14 Michigan State faces No. 20 Michigan in the championship game of the 2011 Great Lakes Invitational.

MSU (11-6-2 overall) advanced to tonight's game with a 3-1 victory over Michigan Tech, on the strength of 45 saves by Drew Palmisano. Michigan (10-8-3) topped No. 3 Boston College by a 4-2 count, as Luke Glendening tallied a goal and an assist, including an empty-netter to ice the contest with 14 seconds remaining in regulation.

The Spartans and Wolverines last met on Dec. 9-10. Michigan won the first contest, 4-3, in Ann Arbor before the two schools skated to a 3-3 tie the following night in East Lansing (with MSU winning the ensuing shootout, 1-0).

ADDENDUM: Michigan won, 3-2 in overtime, on a goal by Kevin Clare to earn its 15th GLI title all-time. Palmisano had 45 saves for MSU and set a GLI record with 90 stops in two games.