With this series the Spartans will resume Big Ten play, games set for Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m. EST and Jan. 10, 5 p.m. EST on Big Ten Plus. 

MSU enters the series 14-4-0 overall with a 5-3-0 record in the Big Ten. The Spartans are 9-0 on the road (away and neutral sites), coming off a three-game win streak. 

In contrast, OSU is 6-11-1 overall, 2-6-0 in conference action. The Buckeyes' only wins were a 5-1 victory over Wisconsin back in November and a 6-5 overtime win against Minnesota at the start of December. OSU has not been ranked in the top 20 this season and enters the series following a tie and a loss against Bowling Green.

The Spartans’ lineup will look different than it has in recent weeks as four players return from the World Juniors tournament: freshman forwards Porter Martone, Ryker Lee and Eric Nilson, and sophomore forward Shane Vansaghi. Meanwhile, freshman forward Cole Burke and junior forward Gavin O’Connell remain out with injuries.

Forward Jake Karabela leads the Buckeyes with 17 points (4-13—17). Prior to his time at OSU, Karabela played for the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, making him a familiar foe of MSU freshman forward Anthony Romani, who played for the Barrie Colts. Last February, Romani scored his 100th career goal against Karabela and the Storm in a 5-4 shootout victory for the Colts.

OSU is ranked seventh in faceoff-win percentage, led by forward Max Montes. MSU is ranked 17th from the circle. Forwards Adam Eisele (8-4—12) and Davis Burnside (6-8—14) also play key roles in the Buckeye offense, which ranks 10th on the power play.

"They're very good in transition. They got some guys with some speed that can make you play in," MSU head coach Adam Nightingale said. "When we've struggled against them, it's definitely a lack of us being able to get to the inside and them doing a great job defending."

Forward Ryan Gordon leads the Buckeyes win blocks (22), followed by defenseman William Smith (21). OSU’s leading goaltender, Kristoffer Eberly, holds a .896 save percentage with a 2.96 goals-against average. 

However, the Spartans’ mindset has been the same as they approach every competition.

"We know they’re a super skilled, fast team," Lee said. "But at the end of the day, it's about playing our game."

While Lee and three other Spartans were competing at the World Juniors, senior forward Charlie Stramel and Romani delivered standout performances at the Great Lakes Invitational.

Stramel scored four goals during the tournament (4-1—5) and was named tournament MVP. Romani, who joined Stramel on the top forward line, finished the GLI with four points (2-2—4). Both forwards scored goals in MSU’s exhibition on Sunday, and Stramel leads the team in points (10-13—23) while tying senior forward Daniel Russell for the team lead in assists (4-13—17).

Martone, the Spartans’ leading goal-scorer (11-9—20), will return to the lineup after helping Team Canada win a bronze medal at the World Juniors. Nilson captured a gold medal with Team Sweden. Several Spartans stepped into larger roles while Martone, Nilson, Lee and Vansaghi were away — a development Nightingale has commended.

Junior netminder Trey Augustine is expected to start between the pipes for MSU. Augustine leads the Big Ten in both goals-against average and save percentage, boasting a 1.686 GAA (fourth in the NCAA) and a .938 save percentage (second in the NCAA).

The matchup against OSU will be the first of two away series for MSU, providing the team with an opportunity to remain undefeated on the road, and to grow as a team.

"We're disciplined at doing it the right way and playing our best hockey down the stretch," Nightingale said. "I feel like our team has gotten better throughout the year. Still think we can keep growing, and we got an opportunity this weekend to do that."