For the second straight season, MSU will open its campaign against Lake Superior State University.

A season-ending defeat against rival University of Michigan in the NCAA Tournament stripped MSU of its Frozen Four aspirations. This year, MSU is looking to rebound from the bitter ending and reach the Frozen Four, creating the highest expectations for an MSU hockey team in well over a decade. 

It all begins with a trip up north to Sault Ste. Marie this weekend.

"There is a ton of excitement around the locker room. The guys are all pumped to get on the road with everyone," senior defenseman David Gucciardi said at a press conference Wednesday. "(Lake Superior State) is going to be a really good team and we’re really excited for the test."

The Spartans faced LSSU at home in their opener last season. Now, they head to the Upper Peninsula as the away team.

"I’ve heard it’s a great hockey town, so I’m really excited to get down there and see a little bit and play (LSSU). It’ll be fun," Gucciardi said.

MSU has gathered nine new additions to the team in the wake of losing five key players. The Spartans have had time since July to begin the rebuild and play the same Spartan hockey we know and love from the Adam Nightingale era.

"I think we’re really excited about the group," junior forward Joey Larson said. "All the new guys fit in really well and we’re super pumped to be going. It’s obviously new, but new is good. All the guys bring something that we didn’t have last year."

MSU star junior forward Charlie Stramel made his presence felt at the University of Wisconsin his freshman and sophomore years, but now is ready to suit up in green and white. 

"(Stramel) is an awesome player and a really good guy. I think he’ll bring a lot to our team with his power forward game, really strong, fast and can shoot the puck well as a player," Larson said.

With a fresh season beginning, the same team mindset has persisted under Nightingale, who had high praise for MSU's first opponent. As a player, Nightingale spent two years at LSSU.

"We’re looking forward to getting on the road. We have a ton of respect for Lake Superior State and their program and coaching staff," Nightingale said. "We know they’re going to be ready to go and so are we."

After playing their first series on the road, the Spartans will square off against No. 2 Boston College in a series at Munn Ice Arena. MSU was swept by the Eagles last year. 

But first, the Spartans will focus their efforts on a premier team from the Upper Peninsula. 

Puck drop for MSU-LSSU is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4 and Saturday, Oct. 5.