However, the potential for a future run wouldn’t have been possible without a program-defining regular season.

A split with the Eagles

Although the Spartans began the season with a road sweep over Lake Superior State, they faced no easing up on the schedule, welcoming Boston College for one of their top-five matchups of the season.

Night one proved to be a struggle for the Spartans. With young goaltender Jacob Fowler in net for the Eagles, standout sophomores Ryan Leonard, Gabe Perrault and projected top-five NHL draft pick James Hagens on the ice, Boston College dominated, shutting MSU out 3-0.

But MSU showed grit on night two. Playing as a completely different team aided by line changes and a cleaner style of play, the Spartans defeated No. 1 BC 4-3, a defining victory in a long season ahead.

11 games unbeaten

The highly anticipated win over Boston College sparked a massive run for MSU. That home victory was one of 11 straight wins, pushing MSU to No. 1 in the USCHO polls for a few weeks.

MSU picked up four Big Ten wins during its run, sweeping both the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame during a home stint. Night one of the UND matchup allowed MSU to put eight goals on the board. The student section and the fans were ecstatic and energizing in the building during the team’s magnificent run. 

Back-to-back shutouts on home ice

In its final home game before heading on the road for their first Big Ten matchup, MSU hosted newly D1 Lindenwood. The Spartans further proved their dominance.

Night one saw sophomore netminder Trey Augustine in goal, backed by a game full of powerful special teams play. The series finale against the Lions asserted MSU’s dominance, with a power play goal and three successful penalty kills. The result was a 4-0 victory and Augustine’s first shutout of his second season.

Night two featured backup goaltender sophomore Luca Di Pasquo, making his first official start of the season. The night proved huge for Di Pasquo, showcasing his potential as a starting netminder. The Livonia, MI native recorded his first career shutout, powering MSU to a 2-0 victory. MSU earned back-to-back shutouts in a series for the first time since 2015.

A Big Ten loss on the road

But the eleven-game win streak had to come to an end eventually, and it came at the hands of a fellow Big Ten foe.

After finishing its home stint with a sweep over Lindenwood, MSU began a long stretch of conference play on the road against the Wisconsin Badgers. The weekend proved to be a challenge, with MSU shut out 4-0 on night one. The Spartans made a push for a comeback on night two with a 3-2 victory, but they recorded their first Big Ten loss of the regular season.

Great Lakes Invitational Champions

MSU quickly bounced back into the win column after heading to Minneapolis to defeat the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The momentum from the victorious weekend carried into winter break, setting the stage for the Great Lakes Invitational.

With Augustine in Canada for the IIHF World Juniors tournament, competing for his second gold medal, Di Pasquo stepped up in his place.

The backup netminder earned his second shutout of the season, leading the team to a 2-0 victory over Northern Michigan and a spot in the championship game. After last season’s 3-3 tie and losing the extra point to Michigan Tech, the Spartans were seeking redemption against No. 4 ranked Western Michigan.

With a strong third period, MSU claimed a 3-1 victory over its top-five ranked opponent, securing its first GLI title since the 2009-2010 season. It would be one of many trophies MSU earned during the regular season.

An overtime victory to remember

After its first GLI victory in 15 years, MSU made history by traveling to the Windy City for an outdoor game at one of Major League Baseball's most iconic ballparks: Wrigley Field.

Following in the footsteps of the NHL, which played its Winter Classic on the same ice just days before, MSU faced the Wisconsin Badgers for its fourth and final meeting of the regular season.

After a 4-3 victory on night one of its second season series at Munn Ice Arena, MSU stunned Badgers fans in overtime when junior forward Daniel Russell poked the puck into the net with just two seconds remaining in the five-minute sudden death overtime for a 4-3 outdoor rink win.

The reign of Luca Di Pasquo

Di Pasquo became the story of mid-season gameplay. Filling the big shoes of Augustine was a significant challenge, but the sophomore handled it with ease. He went undefeated during a four-game stretch, defeating top-ranked Western Michigan and a tough Wisconsin team.

With a 7-0 record in all games played during the season, Di Pasquo earned a start after the winter break, helping the team to a 6-4 victory over Penn State in Happy Valley. With an average of 1.71 goals allowed per game and a .933 save percentage, the young netminder proved his strengths behind the talented Spartans.

A trophy in Motown

The season series against in-state rival University of Michigan began with a 3-2 overtime loss at Yost Ice Arena, followed by a 4-1 victory on night two at Munn. The second and final series in East Lansing saw the Wolverines break a 1-1 tie when Garrett Schifsky tipped in a shot from Ethan Edwards, powering Michigan to a 2-1 victory and handing MSU just its second home loss of the season.

But the most important game between the heated rivals took place in the heart of the Motor City. Traveling just an hour south to Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, the Spartans claimed their second consecutive Iron D trophy with a dominant 6-1 victory over Michigan.

The rivals finished the season series tied at two wins and two losses apiece, a stark contrast to last year’s 3-1 advantage for MSU.

History over the Golden Gophers

MSU was dominant over the Golden Gophers during the regular season, a feat that had been a challenge in past years due to the Gophers’ historical supremacy. But there was no holding back for the Spartans in the 2024-25 season.

MSU took a 3-3 tie and an extra point in the shootout on night one of the season series in Minneapolis, followed by a 5-3 victory on night two, putting it in control with five possible points already secured.

The momentum didn’t stop there. Welcoming Minnesota for a home series and their final regular-season matchup, the Spartans put nine goals on the board on night one. It was a historic performance, as it marked the first time in series history that MSU had scored nine goals on the Golden Gophers.

The win powered the team to 20 victories on the season and were the first team in the NCAA to do so. The Spartans and Gophers skated to a 3-3 tie on night two, their second tie of the season, with MSU grabbing the extra point yet again and 10 of 12 points in the regular season.

Senior night spoilers

The dominance in the Big Ten for MSU eventually came to a screeching halt. Though the Spartans continued to win and defeat fellow conference foes, there was one team that was not taking a loss for the answer: The Penn State Nittany Lions.

After sweeping Notre Dame and Wisconsin, the Nittany Lions were determined to keep their winning streak alive. And they did just that. After a 2-2 tie on night one, with Penn State taking the extra point, MSU sought redemption on night two, aiming for a high note for the graduating seniors.

But the Nittany Lions were too much to handle. Starting out with a 3-0 lead into the third period, the Spartans played behind the entire game. But the third period was a completely different team out of the locker room as MSU put two goals on the board, attempting to inch its way back into the game. But it would be too little too late as Penn State handed MSU just its third loss at home of the season and a spoiled senior night for the team.

The last chance at a championship

One last chance at history. After a tough final challenge at home against the red-hot Nittany Lions, MSU hit the road with an opportunity to sweep Notre Dame and clinch back-to-back Big Ten titles.

By grabbing all six points from the Irish and spoiling their senior night in the process, MSU clinched a share of the conference title, tying with the Golden Gophers, who ended with 50 points. However, by taking 10 of 12 possible points during the regular season against Minnesota, the Spartans claimed the outright No. 1 seed in the tournament and earned a bye-week. For the first time in history, MSU clinched back-to-back titles and just their second all-time.

The Spartans will host Notre Dame in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament, after the Fighting Irish upset the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Mariucci Arena. UND comes in looking to avenge their own final series of the regular season, spoiled by MSU. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. at Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing. The game will be available to stream on Big Ten Network.