MSU set the tone in Game 1, capitalizing first on the power play and adding to the score with two breakaways and a rebounded goal. 

In Game 2, the Spartans were consistent with one goal each period, holding their opponent to none until the third – although consecutive goals from the Terriers sent the game to extra time. 

Sophomore forward Shane Vansaghi came up clutch for MSU, sweeping BU forward Cole Eiserman’s shot off the goal line just before it could be ruled a goal following a save by junior goaltender Trey Augustine. The play allowed the Spartans to transition down the ice, where senior forward Matt Basgall scored the game-winner off a smooth pass from freshman forward Ryker Lee on the odd-man rush.

Prior to the road series, Spartan head coach Adam Nightingale said that the team’s objective was to not only play their best, but to figure some things out. While the season has just begun and the team’s identity is certainly building, BU’s competitions highlighted key aspects of Michigan State hockey. 

A team that wears you down 

The Spartans proved that even against some of the best hockey in the country, they’re going to play hard all 60 minutes.  

Michigan State doesn’t hesitate to shoot the puck. The Spartans showed that in both their exhibition and season-opening games, and it was fitting that their first goal in Boston came during a power play — senior forward Charlie Stramel tipped in the puck after multiple wrist shots were fired toward the net. Constant pressure is at the core of MSU’s power-play identity, as the team doesn’t waste time moving the puck.

The team’s offensive philosophy of speed and direct attack is partially modeled after the NHL’s Florida Panthers, freshman forward Porter Martone said at a press conference after the series. 

"I think the philosophy for them is ‘wear teams down,’" Martone said. "It gets to the third period, and you don't want to play against them. That's something that we kind of want to model after."  

The series also showcased Michigan State’s ability to turn defense into offense. 

In Game 1, the Spartans saw multiple breakaway opportunities. Freshman forward Eric Nilson earned his first collegiate goal after stealing the puck in the neutral zone to capitalize on a quick break – despite MSU being shorthanded. Highlighting the team’s aggressive forecheck, Martone earned his first goal in Game 2 after senior forward Daniel Russell won a one-on-one battle behind BU’s net, taking the puck from a Terrier defenseman. 

While depth was already evident within the Spartans’ stacked roster, the Boston competitions further highlighted that Michigan State is a team with multiple threats. Eleven different Spartans earned points within the two games, with some players marking their first points of the season. 

A team with penalties (and penalty kills)

With Augustine between the pipes, Michigan State has established itself as a team with a strong penalty kill. 

MSU faced one of the best offensive opponents in college hockey, and gave them six powerplays in Game 1 (including a five-minute major) and four in Game 2. Yet, the Spartans killed all penalties but two, including all four in the final game of the series. 

"Your best penalty killer has got to be your goalie," Nightingale said at a press conference after Game 1. 

This weekend showed the Spartans’ ability to minimize their opponents scoring opportunities while shorthanded. The team’s forecheck, ability to clear the puck and faceoff success were also talked about by Nightingale at the series’ post-game press conferences. 

Although Michigan State boasts the reigning Big Ten Goaltender of the Year, and has proved itself to be a difficult defensive opponent, the team also takes some unnecessary penalties. Midway through the first game Nightingale said over the television broadcast that the team needed to be "smarter" and that they were "playing with fire." While penalty calls ultimately lie in the hands of the referees, the Spartans’ season will require them to be more disciplined down the road.

A team that responds

Michigan State knows how to respond. While this was demonstrated when the Spartans split their opening series, this weekend further illustrates the identity that the team is trying to build. 

From killing an early five-minute major, to stealing pucks to extend the score, MSU took its opportunity to play competitive hockey and ran with it. Not only did this series challenge them to respond, it challenged them to respond within games. 

In the third period of Game 2, Michigan State gave up its first goal of the night  – but its reaction was to earn a score of its own less than forty seconds later. Even when the Terriers scored back-to-back goals to tie the game the Spartans remained poised and on the attack. 

"I thought today, tonight, there was no panic," Nightingale said at the post-game press conference. "It would have been easy to melt. You saw how loud the building got, and that's a good one to have in our back pocket."

Michigan State’s overtime response to Augustine’s save and Vansaghi’s sweep of the puck showed that while mistakes are inevitable — hockey is, after all, a game of errors — the Spartans will capitalize when given the chance. The team may be youthful, but it has veteran leadership, fresh talent and a clear desire to rise to the challenge.