Rivalries force you to be at your best, MSU head coach Adam Nightingale said. However, this rivalry holds more gravity than rankings or pride — it’s a fight for the Big Ten regular-season title. 

Every member of the Big Ten has squared off at least once or twice this season. While college hockey is competitive and every game starts with an empty scoreboard, there are three main contenders for conference champion: Michigan, MSU and Penn State. 

Michigan holds a narrow lead in the Big Ten with 36 points and a 13-3-0 conference record (22-4-0 overall). After sweeping Penn State last weekend, Michigan State jumped to second place with 35 points and a 12-4-0 conference record (21-5-0 overall). Penn State has 32 points, and Wisconsin is in fourth place with 22, highlighting the gap in the conference standings. The Wolverines and Spartans rank No. 1 and No. 2 nationally in winning percentage.

Last Meeting

Then-No. 3 MSU and No. 1 Michigan last competed on Dec. 5 and 6, the week before winter (and conference) break. 

The Spartans looked flat in a 3-0 loss in the series opener. Michigan played tight defense, and Michigan State struggled to break through the zones. The Spartans never truly tested Michigan’s goaltender, and untimely penalties further hindered their momentum.

The following night provided a clean slate. Despite trailing 1-0, just as the previous night, freshman forward Anthony Romani evened the score and added another goal in the third period, helping the Spartans take a 3-1 win at Yost Ice Arena. Overall, the team looked better. It blocked shots, stopped rushes and got inside offensively, reaffirming its ability to respond. 

Scouting Michigan

Last weekend, the Wolverines swept Ohio State, although the wins were less dominant than those earlier in the season. Michigan took a 6-4 win in the series opener, a back-and-forth affair. The Wolverines closed the series with a 3-2 overtime win, finishing January 6-0. 

Michigan’s scoring offense ranks No. 1 in the country — and it has held that position nearly all season. The Wolverines are led by forwards T.J. Hughes (13-25–38), Michael Hage (12-23–35) and Will Horcoff (20-12–32). Those three led the team the last time it faced the Spartans.

Michigan is expected to start goaltender Stephen Peck. Peck has competed in five games so far, posting a 2.56 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and a 5-0 record. He stepped into a starting position following Jan. 10, when netminder Jack Ivankovic suffered an injury. Ivankovic remains in the top seven for every goalie category, despite being sidelined. The timeline for Ivankovic’s injury is not public.

“They got depth,” Nightingale said. “Every time we've played them since I've been here, I feel like their goalies have played good. I suspect that we're going to see good goaltending this weekend. If you want to score, and doesn't matter who you're playing, you gotta try to fight to get to the inside. And I think they've done a good job of making it hard to get to that area.” 

The Wolverines have several athletes among the nation's best – in goals per game, game-winning goals, and points per game – as do the Spartans. 

Michigan State hockey  

Senior forwards Charlie Stramel, Daniel Russell and freshman forward Porter Martone continue to spearhead the Spartan offense. Stramel is having his most productive season yet, leading the team with a career-high 35 points (16 goals, 19 assists). He marked his first collegiate hat trick last weekend in MSU’s 5-4 overtime win over then-No. 5 Penn State. Stramel scored the game-winning goal, as well as an important goal to tie the game. 

Martone is having an impactful freshman season, just behind Stramel with 34 points (15 goals, 19 assists). Russell continues to showcase his reliability, often assisting Stramel and Martone for 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists). 

Romani trails the first line with 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists), but his scoring has proved timely. The freshman tallied his first collegiate hat trick last weekend in MSU’s 6-3 win over Penn State to open the series, including one that sealed the game. He scored the first two goals in MSU’s last contest against Michigan, and Nightingale said Romani has earned more ice time as he’s developed this season. 

The Spartans are a narrow No. 2 in scoring defense, allowing just 1.88 goals from their opponents. Junior goaltender Trey Augustine has performed among the best all season, holding a 1.87 GAA (fourth nationally) and a .934 save percentage (third nationally).

“It'll be tight games,” Nightingale said. “If we want to have success, we got to be at our best, and likewise for them. That's what being part of a rivalry is. Not everyone has that (a rivalry) right, and it forces you to be at your best. That's when you have an opportunity to grow.”

MSU carries momentum from last weekend into its rivalry matchup. The Spartans proved once again that they can respond in close games. In the series opener, they struggled in the faceoff circle but battled for possessions and executed timely goals. The finale highlighted their poise in front of 75,000 fans, as they led, fell behind, and ultimately won in overtime.

Last weekend was a fight for second place in the Big Ten, and this weekend is a fight for first. The Spartans are no stranger to big games, holding a record of 9-3-0 against ranked opponents this season. 

“We come with the same approach into each weekend,” Romani said. “Worry about ourselves, worry about our game and practice. Obviously it's two huge games in the standings wise. So, we know that, and they're important games. So, we'll come ready to play.”

Saturday’s contest at Little Caesar’s Arena will be another opportunity for the team to play on a large stage, following its outdoor game at Beaver Stadium. 

“That LCA game is always the most attended indoor game in college hockey every year,” Nightingale said. “I think it speaks to the rivalry. Both programs are in good spots, and that's when it's at its best. I think regardless of where they're ranked, there always ends up being good games.”