There's a sense of urgency at Munn Ice Arena.
But not of the bad variety.
The MSU hockey team begins practice Friday, and the icers are ecstatic about the season beginning Thursday Oct. 2 in the Green and White exhibition game.
After a season with head coach Rick Comley under their hockey pads, the Spartans, ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the CCHA by the media and coaches, respectively, expect a return to high conference expectations and NCAA glory.
"That's really where it matters, on the ice," junior captain and forward Jim Slater said of the second half of the season. "Every team in this league is so close and you never know, and you got to bring your best game forward every weekend.
"And that's what we're going to have to do to stay on top."
After an embarrassing 7-1 loss Jan. 3 against league doormat Lake Superior State, the Spartans revived, defeating eight-of-10 opponents and tying one.
During the season's first half, MSU looked like a team far from its usual postseason destiny. But after its second-half effort and being only two wins away from second-place Michigan, the Spartans still missed the NCAA Tournament.
"I look at this year as a carry-over of last year," Comley said. "I like this hockey team. I like the returning talent. And I like the new players that we've brought in.
"Last year, we spent so much time trying to get used to each other, get familiar with each other, and I don't think that was the sole reason why the two halves were so different, but I think it was a factor in it."
There are few worries about scoring around Munn. Last season, the Spartans amassed a 3.95 goals-per-game average. Couple 11 returning forwards with last season's goal average and there's little doubt the statistic will soar.
The question lies on the defensive end of the ice, where there are only three returnees - senior Joe Markusen, sophomore Jared Nightingale and sophomore Corey Potter. The loss of All-American blue-line defenders Brad Fast and John-Michael Liles might show early, but the corps of freshman defenders holds a plethora of talent.
"I think (defense) is the key," junior goaltender Matt Migliaccio said. "We got a lot of experience up front and a lot of guys returning, high-scoring, very fast offense. With a lot of young freshman defensemen, it's going to be interesting how they react. They're very skilled and can definitely play at this level, but they're young and they're going to make mistakes. I think that does add some pressure, some focus to the goaltending situation."
Comley said he will have a heavy focus on the goaltending situation. With the exit of Hobey Baker goalie Ryan Miller two seasons ago, Comley expects the question mark to disappear in the Spartans' net. Moreover, he expects the position to be a strength of the team.
Migliaccio, a walk-on turned starting goalie, is a favorite of the head coach, but with freshman Dominic Vicari waiting in the wings, competition is expected to be fierce.
"I think we just have to be better defensively," Comley said. "I think we changed the style, whether that led to more goals against or not is up for debate. Certainly, I would point to the loss of Ryan Miller as the No. 1 reason for more goals against.
"So right now, I want to continue to build on offense, to score goals, but also to give up less."
