Both their CCHA and overall records are almost identical.
Three of the past four games against each other have ended in draws.
Eight of their past nine meetings have been decided by a goal or less.
That's just a slight indication of how evenly matched the Wolverines and Spartans are on the ice. MSU (14-10-5 overall, 8-7-4 CCHA) got a huge 2-0 win at Munn Ice Arena on Jan. 17, but two more games this weekend — the third and fourth meetings this season — against Michigan (14-9-1, 9-6-1) will go a long way in deciding the CCHA race.
"It's the respect, it's the rivalry, it's the intensity — it's everything that's good about a college rivalry," MSU head coach Rick Comley said.
Here's a breakdown of the two teams, who will face off at 8:05 p.m. tonight at Munn Ice Arena before closing the series Saturday at Joe Louis Arena. CSTV will have Friday's television coverage, and Fox Sports Net will broadcast Saturday's game.
Forwards
U-M forward T.J. Hensick is among the best in the nation. His 33 points lead the Wolverines, while forwards Andrew Cogliano and Kevin Porter follow with 22 points each. Although the Spartans shut out U-M last time at Munn, equaling that accomplishment will be no easy task against the Wolverines, who lead the CCHA in goals per game with 3.71 and power-play percentage at .225.
"They're a high-scoring team and they're talented," junior captain Drew Miller said. "I think we just executed our game last time, and we've got to do the same thing this time.
"You've got to take them off their game as quick as possible."
That's not to say that the Spartans aren't capable of putting the puck in the net, but they've been slightly inconsistent.
Sophomore forward Bryan Lerg and Miller lead the Spartans in points, but MSU special teams play stands around the middle of the conference pack.
Defense
Senior Corey Potter and junior Ethan Graham are two of the premier defensemen in the conference, but that's not all. Senior Jared Nightingale and sophomore Daniel Vukovic have been playing very well this season, and freshman Brandon Gentile is improving each game. And junior Tyler Howells provides the offensive spark from the blue line with 24 points on the season.
U-M has a qualified corps of defensemen but don't quite have the depth the Spartans have. U-M's Jack Johnson and Matt Hunwick are the top two blueliners for the maize and blue, but the Wolverines still sit near the bottom of the league standings while giving up an average of 2.88 goals per game.
On top of that, U-M leads the conference in penalty minutes, which doesn't help the matter.
"This day and age, games are won by special teams," Howells said. "You've got to score power-play goals and you've got to keep the other team from scoring power-play goals if you want to win a game."
Goaltending
MSU freshman Jeff Lerg has been one of the hottest goaltenders in the nation recently. His 1.94 goals-against average and .929 save percentage in 17 games betters U-M's Billy Sauer and Noah Ruden. Both Ruden and Sauer have given up almost three goals a game in the games they've played.
Although Lerg has been the hot hand for Spartans this month, junior Dominic Vicari is also capable to get the job done between the pipes.
WHO'S HOT?
Jeff Lerg, freshman goaltender, MSU
He has started every game this month. In the eight games, he recorded two shutouts and holds a record of 6-2-0.
His season save percentage is .929 and his 1.94 goals-against average are among the best numbers in the league.
WHO'S NOT?
Jack Johnson, defenseman, U-M
He has a lot of talent but doesn't play with a lot of smarts on the ice. His 22 points tie for second on the team, but his 106 penalty minutes have hurt U-M this season.
