Though the Spartans outshot Northeastern (3-12-3) 14-9 in the first period, it was the Huskies who cracked the MSU defense when Mike McMurtry cut to the front of the net and shoveled one behind Jake Hildebrand with 2:03 to play in the period. Brendan Collier and Eric Williams received assists on the goal.

MSU wouldn't fare any better in the second period as another round of penalties plagued the Spartans and deflated any chance for them to build momentum. Northeastern’s Zach Aston-Reese came into the contest with 15 points in the Huskies’ 17 games and he’d notch another on the their second powerplay of the period.

The Spartans known for their shot blocking became overzealous with it as both defenseman John Draeger and Joe Cox tried to throw their bodies in front of John Stevens. Stevens faked the shot and lasered a pass to the all-alone Aston-Reese who only had to tip the puck behind Hildebrand.

In the third period, the Huskies squandered both man advantage chances ultimately finishing 1 for 5 on the power play on the night but it didn't matter. Even though Mason Appleton’s shot ricocheted off Thomas Ebbing in front of the net and in, Ebbing's goal wasn’t enough to bring the Spartans back.

At 7:07 of the third period, MSU’s only goal of the game was too little too late. The goal wasn’t generated off any sustained pressure but a face off play; it was the kind of goal MSU needed much earlier in the game.

A generous call with 2:51 to go in the game gave the Spartans another opportunity to win but their inability to pull the trigger would be the dagger. MSU couldn’t pull the goalie, and couldn't shoot in the final minute giving Northeastern the win and only its third victory of the year.

MSU went into the game trying to find momentum as it heads to the Great Lakes Invitational but it killed its final chance. A frustrating kind of hockey has the Spartans asking more questions than it can find answers.