The MSU men's hockey players take a break and discuss their game plan during a game against the University of Michigan at Munn Ice Arena on Dec. 9, 2022. The Spartans defeated the Wolverines 2-1.
—Michigan State hockey dropped in the USCHO poll for the first time since it entered the rankings in November. The Spartans (12-9-1) fell three spots to No. 14 this week following losses to Ferris State and Michigan Tech in the Great Lakes Invitational last week.
MSU attempted a comeback against Ferris State on Tuesday, courtesy of two goals by fifth-year defenseman Cole Krygier, but ultimately fell 4-2 in the GLI semifinal game.
The loss earned the Spartans a spot in the consolation game versus Michigan Tech Wednesday. MSU led 2-1 the entire third period, until MTU sophomore defenseman Brett Thorne tied the game with less than two minutes left in regulation. Freshman forward Arvid Caderoth scored the game-winner for the Huskies in sudden-death overtime, handing the Spartans fourth place in the tournament.
Western Michigan, crowned GLI champions after defeating FSU in the final, now sits one spot above MSU at No. 13.
As for the rest of the Big Ten, Minnesota kept the No. 3 spot following exhibition wins over USNTDP and Bemidji State. Penn State remains No. 5 after sweeping Rochester Institute of Technology. Michigan remains at No. 7, as it hasn’t returned to the ice since splitting its series with MSU on Dec. 9 and 10. Ohio State is the only conference team to move up, sitting at No. 12. Notre Dame remains in the bottom of the top twenty, coming in at No. 20, after it split wins with Alaska over the weekend.
The Spartans also sit at No. 13 in the PairWise rankings, dropping five spots since the Michigan series. Minnesota, Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State are now all ahead of MSU in the rankings at No. 1, No. 4, Nov. 8 and No. 9 respectively.
The Spartans hit the road this week as they return to conference play versus Ohio State in Columbus on Dec. 6 and 7.
Here’s a look at the rest of the top 20:
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