While the No. 10 Spartans might not be able to catch CCHA-leading and No. 2 Miami (Ohio) in the conference standings, beating the RedHawks in a two-game series at Munn Ice Arena this weekend would be immense.
For one, the Spartans (17-10-7 overall, 11-7-6 CCHA) could create some space in the close CCHA race and further the attempt to lock up home ice in the playoffs as well as a first-round playoff bye.
Secondly, wins against a highly ranked team like Miami (20-5-4, 17-4-2) would mean more sway for MSU in terms of seeding for the NCAA Tournament next month.
"We're fighting for a first-round bye so that's the only thing we're kind of thinking about, talking about — just as we've done over the last couple of months is just try to put wins on the board," MSU head coach Rick Comley said.
Miami clinched the CCHA regular-season title with a 6-3 win Tuesday against Ohio State. The Spartans are currently on a five-game unbeaten streak but are capable of playing better.
"I still think we can score more," Comley said. "We've got guys that haven't gotten hot yet. We haven't played our best hockey yet. I don't think we've reached our peak as a team by any means."
The Spartans will have to be on their game this weekend — in the only two regular season meetings with Miami — when they face a defensive RedHawks team that has gotten some surprise success.
Defenseman Andy Greene anchors the point for Miami and Jeff Zatkoff and Charlie Effinger have made a name for themselves in net after Brandon Crawford-West left the team early after last season.
"They're as pleasantly surprised as anybody that the numbers are where they are," Comley said. "They've been very steady, very consistent. They're for real."
The hot hand for MSU has been senior forward David Booth, who is on a 10-game point streak — the longest of his career and of any Spartan this season.
"It's good that the puck's finally going in," Booth said. "We just need to be hockey players, plain and simple. We can't be afraid to make mistakes and you can't be afraid to play the game. You've got to play for fun."
No place like home
Munn Ice Arena will get the youth jump it needs in the remaining home games with a full Spartan Brass in attendance. The full band made its debut in a 1-1 tie with Michigan on Jan. 27 and has been a feature at Munn since.
"The crowd's been tremendous over this last stretch," Comley said.
The band will be at both games this weekend and any games throughout the CCHA playoffs if the schedule doesn't interfere with spring break.
Faceoff is set for 7:35 p.m. Friday night and 7:05 p.m. Saturday.
