Last year, the Michigan State Spartans captured their first NCAA hockey title in 20 years by coming back in the final period to defeat Harvard, 6-5, at Providence, R.I.

This year, the defending champions will host the Black Bears of Maine in the NCAA quarterfinals.

Will the Spartans become the first team to capture a second consecutive title since Boston University accomplished this in 1971-'72? Or is there too much pressure to repeat?

"There might have been some pressure early in the season," MSU Coach Ron Mason said, "but with our injury problems in the middle of the season, we started to play as if there was nothing to prove. It was only during the playoffs when we got rolling."

Although the Spartans (30-9-2) finished second overall behind Bowling Green in the CCHA regular season, they posted an undefeated playoff record and defeated the Falcons, 4-3, in overtime, in the championship game. Their victory earned them the number two seed in the West.

Maine (24-14-2) suffered a 4-2 lost to Boston College (the top seed in the East) in the finals of the Hockey East playoffs and now finds itself traveling again to the unfriendly confines of State's Munn Ice Arena. Earlier this season in a two-game series, the Black Bears managed to tie MSU, 3-3 but were shut out, 4-0, in the second game.

"[Maine] mirrors our team in many respects," Mason said. "This is definitely an even match-up."

The Black Bears, under Coach Sean Walsh--a former assistant to Mason--are making their first-ever tournament appearance. The Bears lead the nation in penalty killing with a phenomenal mark of 86.6 percent kills.

Maine's leading scorer, freshman center David Capuano, led all Eastern frosh with his 58-point total (on 18 goals and 40 assists). The Black Bears also hope that junior wing Mike McHugh (21-28--49) will help strenghten Maine's offensive attack. Another freshman, goalie Scott King, led Hockey East with an .897 save percentage.

Mitch Messier (40-46--86) and Bill Schibicky (42-34--76) head the potent Michigan State offense. The net-minding duties will probably fall on Bob Essensa, the Spartan goaltender in last year's national championship game. This year Essensa has posted an 18-2-1 record, a 2.66 goals-against average, and a save percentage of .891