For the 13 newcomers on the Spartan hockey roster, this weekend will serve as an introduction to rivalry hockey. No. 3 Michigan State hockey will take on No. 1 Michigan, splitting home ice.
Spartan coach Adam Nightingale remembers his first Michigan contest as a player, having transferred to MSU for his final two collegiate seasons.
"I was a transfer, so some of the guys explain it to you and try to help you understand it," Nightingale said. "But you know, until the first (period) starts flying there, that's when you really feel it."
The Spartans will host Game 1 of the series on Friday, Dec. 5 in Munn Ice Arena. Puck drop is set for 8:30 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network.
MSU enters the series 11-3-0 overall and 4-2-0 in Big Ten play. Similarly, Michigan holds a 15-3-0 record, 6-2-0 in conference action. Last season the rivals split both series against each other.
This weekend is not only a rivalry series but also a matchup between two of the best hockey programs in the country — something both sides must be ready to answer.
"You don't have to like them, you gotta respect them," Nightingale said. "You got to show that with the way — it can’t just be words, right? How you play the game, you can tell if you respect an opponent or not. And that's the goal going into the weekend."
While the Spartans have reinforced that performance matters more than rankings, the rivalry series will influence who sits at No. 1 in the USCHO polls next week.
Michigan’s scoring offense ranks No. 1 in the nation, averaging 5.11 goals per game. The Wolverines are led by the nation’s leading goal scorer, forward Will Horcoff.
Horcoff netted two goals in each game of Michigan’s last series, including the game winner in a 4-3 overtime victory against Harvard. The winger is averaging 1.00 goals per game and boasts a .300 shot percentage. His father, Shawn Horcoff, played at MSU from 1996-2000, and served as the captain in his final year with the team.
Forwards T.J. Hughes, Michael Hage and Horcoff have tallied 26 points each this season.
"They got a lot of depth," Nightingale said. "You look at some of the guys on their team that have a history of scoring, there's a lot of guys there and throughout their lineup."
An emphasis for the Spartans will be minimizing shot opportunities, especially unnecessary penalties.
"You can't give them chances," Nightingale said. "They're going to earn enough on their own because they're talented, right? So, we got to make sure that we play our brand, and I think we're a team that generates a lot, too."
MSU’s offense is led by senior forwards Daniel Russell and Charlie Stramel, as well as freshman forward Porter Martone. Martone leads the team in points and goals (10-9–19). While that line has been the most productive, each series has shown scoring from other players — highlighting the Spartans’ depth. Last week, Nightingale praised freshman forward Eric Nilson’s line for its consistency.
The team doesn’t want to feed into Michigan’s style of play, Martone said, but to have structure in the defensive zone and play with quick pace, putting pressure on their opponent. Martone added that everyone on the team wants to play for each other, and the results will take care of themselves.
Netminder Jack Ivankovic has started all 18 of Michigan’s games. He boasts a .922 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average. Ivankovic, a freshman, joined the Wolverines after spending two seasons with the Canadian Hockey League’s Brampton Steelheads — alongside Martone.
"He's one of my best friends," Martone said. "You know, we're going against each other, we're competitors, so obviously, he’s an experienced goalie but I'm excited to go up against him."
Junior goaltender Trey Augustine is expected to start for the Spartans. Augustine holds a .936 save percentage and a 1.66 GAA.
Beyond the immediate stakes of the rivalry, this weekend also brings a unique detail: top players from both sides will soon join each other at the IIHF World Junior Championships from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.
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Spartan sophomore forward Shane Vansaghi and freshman forward Ryker Lee were named to the preliminary roster for the 2026 United States National Junior Team. Wolverine defensemen Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen and Asher Barnett, as well as forwards Cole McKinney and Horcoff, were also named to the preliminary roster.
MSU’s Martone and Michigan’s Ivankovic and Hage are also expected to play on the 2026 Canadian National Junior Team.
With so much young talent on national-team rosters, all eyes turn to the upcoming rivalry series — a clash that could set the tone for both team’ seasons.
