On a night where seven seniors were formally honored, senior captain Jim Slater who stole the show, posting three points, including the game-winning goal in the 3-2 come-from-behind win over Notre Dame.

The Spartans (16-15-4 overall, 11-13-3 CCHA) were sluggish coming out of the gate and fell behind 2-0 midway through the second.

The loudest cheer by the Munn Ice Arena crowd after two periods was for the final score of the women's basketball game.

"The first two were just about as dull and flat - you can't create that much dullness," MSU head coach Rick Comley said of the opening two periods.

"Over the years I'll tell you, I've had very, very few good senior nights as far as quality of play. That's as good a win as we've had all year."

With the opportunity to host a first-round CCHA playoff series on the line, the Spartans came into the final stanza of play determined not to let that opportunity slip away.

The first Spartans goal came 3:29 into the third period when sophomore forward Drew Miller jammed the puck past goaltender David Brown on the power play to cut the Fighting Irish (5-24-6, 3-19-5) lead in half.

"It was the first goal of the game that got us the spark," Miller said.

"It was a really big momentum swing for the team. We just had to get that first one to get going."

On MSU's next power play opportunity, freshman forward Jim McKenzie found the back of the net to extend his scoring streak and even the game at two.

The goal marked McKenzie's eighth goal in eight games and his ninth of the year.

With all the momentum on MSU's side, the Spartans and Irish were forced to pause action when junior defenseman Corey Potter drove his check into the corner boards, shattering the glass.

Upon play resuming, the Spartans picked up where they left off, and took the lead for good when Slater snapped the game-winning goal past Brown. Slater earned first-star honors for his performance.

"The first two periods were awful for everyone, including myself," Slater said.

"It was nice to actually do something, but I guess it doesn't matter when you do as long as you get it done, and that's what happened tonight."

Sophomore goaltender Dominic Vicari closed the door the rest of the game, and MSU hung on for the all-important win.

With Ohio State's win over Miami (Ohio) on Friday, MSU can clinch home ice for the first-round CCHA playoffs with a win Saturday at Notre Dame.

The Spartans will try for the series sweep and home-ice birth in South Bend at 7:05 p.m.