If MSU loses, its season will be done. If the Spartans pull out a win, Miami (Ohio) has its sights on the NCAA Tournament, as the RedHawks currently are ranked No. 3 in the NCAA.

“We just have to come out tomorrow, and it could be the last game of the year so we just have to leave it all out there and do what we can,” sophomore forward Matt Berry said. “We have a lot more to play for — they’re in the (NCAA) Tournament either so, so we have to play for the CCHA title here and hopefully get our way into the tournament.”

The Spartans are in a similar position as last weekend. MSU was in Fairbanks, Alaska, for round one of the CCHA playoffs. Similar to the Miami (Ohio) series, MSU won Friday night’s game then lost the following night.

MSU defeated Alaska 4-3 in game three after falling behind 1-0 early in the first period, and the players are using that series as an example of what they can accomplish.

“We did come in last weekend in Alaska and win game three after losing game two,” senior defenseman Matt Grassi said.

“That will be in the backs of everyone’s minds that we can do it. We’re going to face a difficult challenge, but I think all the confidence in the world in our guys and I’m feeling really good about (Sunday).”

MSU entered this weekend as the underdogs, the last place team playing the first place team on home ice. The Spartans set the standard Friday night, shutting out the RedHawks, 3-0.

Miami (Ohio) responded with a solid performance the following night and defeated MSU, 4-1.

“Starting (Sunday), we can’t lose another game for the rest of the season,” MSU head coach Tom Anastos said. “This was our last chip, and we’ve just gotta figure out everything we can do to try to accomplish a win.”