"I think trying to do something that had never been done is win back-to-back regular season championships and back-to-back tournament championships," head coach Adam Nightingale said. "Super proud of the guys and now officially dress rehearsal is over and we’re ready for the tournament."

The Spartans jumped to a 3-1 lead early in the third period, but the Buckeyes evened the score with goals from Damien Carfagna and Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, carrying their momentum into overtime.

The Buckeyes pulled out all stops, intercepting MSU passes and recording 30 blocked shots compared to the Spartans' 11. While this may have been the last Big Ten matchup between MSU and OSU this season, they could meet again in the NCAA Frozen Four tournament. Howard mentioned that facing the Buckeyes on the big stage would be just another game for him.

Isaac Howard’s four-point night, 50 point season

Howard bolstered his Hobey Baker Award campaign with the game-winning goal, marking his 26th goal and 51st point of the season. The first-liner had a four-point night, contributing to every MSU goal — with two goals and two assists.

"I might have a faint memory because I’m a little gassed," Howard said. "I just remember getting into the slot and Stramel was wheeling up. He made a great play to me and went backhand, forehand, kind of threw it at the goalies armpit and celebrated."

Howard's four-point night was his highest since his four-goal, one-assist performance against the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Howard became the first Spartan to surpass 50 points in a season since Taro Hirose in 2018-2019.

"Ike’s (Howard) fingerprints are all over this team," Nightingale said. "I have a hard time believing that there is a better player in the country. The impact he’s had on our team, he’s doing it on both sides of the puck. He used it on the kill, and to score that goal, heck of a play by Charlie (Stramel) to drive in and find him and it was great to see the guys get rewarded."

A well oiled, conditioned machine

It is seen in the NHL quite often in the playoffs. Teams go to double overtime, triple, even four overtimes and it may not be enough. And the Spartans and Buckeyes saw that, marking the double OT game the longest tournament game in program history. The last time MSU had to go to double overtime to decide a fate was in the 1997-98 CCHA tournament against the Buckeyes.

But MSU would not have been able to compete in the extra 35 minutes of game play if it weren’t for strength and conditioning coach, Will Morlock, who has been praised the entirety of the season by players and coaching staff for his relentless training with the team, continuing to help push and grow each player to be the best version of themselves. Players like senior forward Red Savage have said that not only was Nightingale a reason for last year's transfer to MSU, but Morlock was also a factor.

"I think it’s crucial, our conditioning played a big factor, I thought we wore them out in both of those overtimes," Howard said. "I didn’t think we really took a step back at all in those overtimes. I thought we kept our juice."

The comeback of David Gucciardi

The Spartans came out strong in the first period, firing on all cylinders, but soon had to play a man down. Senior defenseman David Gucciardi exited early after suffering a left leg injury and was helped off the ice to the locker room.

But the blueliner was not going to leave his last game at Munn without a fight, coming back out onto the ice and battling to help his team to victory. Gucciardi had an assist on the night on the third goal for fellow senior forward Tanner Kelly. Gucciardi was also on the ice for the game winner from Howard and helped to create a set up on the play.

"Not easy, obviously early on, potentially losing a D (defenseman), and Gucciardi is a tough kid," Nightingale said. "He’s played through a lot since he’s been here. He got back, Patty looked at him and got him squared away."

Gucciardi has developed significantly since Nightingale’s arrival during his sophomore season. His senior campaign stands out, with six goals and nine assists through the regular season and Big Ten postseason play. The veteran has nearly doubled his scoring output from his junior year.

"To play the way he did, he’s an elite skater, he’s been really consistent in senior year for us and a huge part of our team," Nightingale said. "I’ve brought up him and Tanner Kelly before, I’m so happy for those guys to see Munn this way and just the impact they’ve had on our program. You talk about leaving a place better than you found it, they definitely have."

After clinching an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans will await their seed, which will be announced Sunday, March 23 at 3 p.m. on ESPNU.