Players on the Michigan State hockey team spend most of their days together on and off the ice, either practicing or playing games or hanging out in the players' lounge and traveling during the season.

When off the ice, the Spartans can be found at their team Ping-Pong table competing against one another. Whether playing a traditional first-to-21 game or a seven-point-mercy tournament, head-to-head competition doesn't leave the ice with MSU.

"(We usually) spend like an hour a day playing," junior forward Tiernan Shoudy said Friday afternoon. "Probably about five hours a week. Today we didn’t have class, so it’s easier to stick around."

Junior forward Karsen Dorwart was the table's ruler last season, winning the final tournament of the year. He still holds his crown high but has some teammates — or competitors — that remain up for the challenge of his dethroning. 

"I'm actually still the champ because I wasn't in the last tournament and they haven't finished this tournament, so I'm still the champ right now. I think my record still proves that against Tommi (Männistö)," Dorwart said.

The competition gets heated quickly. Dorwart said he broke a Ping-Pong paddle after losing a game he thought he should've won. The stakes are always high, he said. 

Ping-Pong was a foreign concept for sophomore forward Männistö, a native of Finland, before he came to MSU. With a little help from former teammate Nicolas Müller, Männistö was a quick learner and climbed his way to the top of the leaderboard. Larson said Männistö has experienced "the greatest rise of all time."

Männistö said Ping-Pong and the competitive dynamic within the locker room has helped him create quick bonds with teammates. There's always time to play a few games, whether it be before going home after practice and games or before class, he said. 

Playing at a high level of college hockey is what the Spartans work towards on a daily basis. But being able to experience healthier, more light-hearted competition and enjoy each other’s company at the Ping-Pong table offers something a bit different: creating energy and lifelong relationships off the ice. 

"It brings a good energy to the rink. You’re always excited to be able to play every day," Dorwart said. "I think just having this too, guys look forward to coming to the rink for practice and you get to mess around after. It's something fun and it keeps everyone together and hanging out."