For the second-straight game, the Spartans went into overtime. 

No. 2 Michigan State hockey visited No. 1 Michigan for the first round of a two-game series. Despite a 3-1 lead entering the final period, the Spartans gave up two third-period goals, forcing overtime. 

While both sides were patient in overtime, the Spartans took a costly penalty, allowing Michigan forward Jayden Perron to beat junior goaltender Trey Augustine for a 4-3 Spartan loss.  

“Tough finish,” MSU coach Adam Nightingale said. “I thought it was a great hockey game… I liked us in the first two periods; you got a couple-goal lead. We got beat up on the ice on one, then gave up a shorty (shorthanded goal), and that's a tie game. Take a penalty, 4-on-3 with that much talent, it's going to be tough.”

The Spartans secured one conference point but dropped to 21-6-0 overall and 12-5-0 in the Big Ten. The rivals will close out their series Saturday, Feb. 7, at 6:30 p.m. in Little Caesars Arena. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network. 

Michigan finished the night with a narrow 35–34 edge in shots, but only one shot counted. Augustine stopped 31 shots for the Spartans, and Michigan netminder Stephen Peck also made 31 saves. Nightingale said both goalies played well.

Despite the scoreboard, the Spartans led for much of the game. 

They controlled the first four minutes, generating offense while the Wolverines had yet to attempt a shot. When shots came in the fifth minute, Augustine was solid, as was the defense. The Spartans finished with 21 blocks, and the Wolverines had 17, highlighting the defensive detail on both sides.

It took 15 minutes for the Spartans to open the scoring when the Wolverines let senior center Charlie Stramel get to the slot. 

Freshman forward Porter Martone fired a shot that Stramel deflected in from the front of the net — a play he has executed all season. The Spartans’ lead didn’t last long, as Michigan forward Nick Moldenhauer evened the score with a deflection of his own.