Junior forward Jeremy Davidson (11) fights off Ohio State player during a game at Schottenstein Center on Jan 7, 2023. The Spartans fell to the Buckeyes with a score of 6-0.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Michigan State hockey had a chance at redemption against No. 12 Ohio State Saturday afternoon after a 3-1 loss Friday night, but instead added to its second half season setbacks getting shutout 6-0, handing the Buckeyes a series sweep. MSU swept OSU back in November with 4-2 and 4-3 victories.
MSU started the game with turnover issues but drew the first power play after. However, the best penalty kill unit in the nation prevented the Spartans from getting on the board.
Senior forward Erik Middendorf took a trip to the box after he was whistled on a minor for tripping. MSU’s penalty kill continued to struggle as junior forward Michael Gildon slid a puck past graduate goaltender Dylan St. Cyr, putting OSU on the board with a power play goal less than a minute into the power play.
St. Cyr had a few impressive saves including a shot from senior forward Tate Singleton at the 14:24 mark, but Singleton netted a one-timer, his second goal of the series, just 24 seconds later.
With less than 20 seconds to play before the first intermission, junior forward Joe Dunlap extended the Buckeyes lead to 3-0.
Michigan State started the second period with a change in the net, sending junior goaltender Pierce Charleson out for the first time since Oct. 22 when the Spartans defeated Long Island University 8-4.
Other lineup changes included graduate forward Justin Jallen and freshman forward Tiernan Shoudy switching spots. Jallen appeared in last night’s game as an extra skater. After playing in the first game against the Buckeyes, junior forward Zach Dubinsky was scratched Saturday.
Junior defenseman Nash Nienhuis was scratched for the third game in a row after leaving and not returning MSU’s game versus Ferris State in the Great Lakes Invitational last week.
At the 1:22 mark of the second, sophomore forward Cam Thiesing started the second period off with an unassisted, short-handed goal on a breakaway to put Ohio State up 4-0.
Freshman forward Karsen Dorwart took the first of four penalties called on MSU during the second period, forcing MSU to kill off a penalty at the 2:39 mark.
The Buckeyes continued to twist the knife as Dunlap scored his second goal of the night and third of the weekend to put OSU 5-0 at the 9:28 mark.
Graduate defenseman Michael Underwood and junior forward Jeremy Davidson were whistled on a crossing checking call of their own, handing Ohio State its third and fourth power play opportunities of the period. The Buckeyes stayed out of the box the whole period.
Davidson picked up his second cross checking penalty of the game 3:41 into the third period. MSU and OSU skated 4-on-4 after sophomore forward Jesse Tucker and freshman defenseman Tyler Duke were called for roughing.
Freshman forward Davis Burnside pushed the Buckeyes lead to 6-0 at the 13:15 mark.
Senior forward Jagger Joshua took a trip to the box for a cross checking penalty of his own with about six minutes left to play. It was Joshua's first penalty since he picked up a major in MSU's second game with Penn State on Nov. 19.
At the end of the night, MSU walked away with eight penalties. Meanwhile, OSU went to the box three times.
The Spartans have another shot to break their losing streak as they return home to Munn Ice Arena to face No. 5 Penn State next Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.
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