The Spartans (26-8-2) advanced to the regional final after defeating UConn 2-1, and the Badgers (22-12-2) upset Dartmouth 5-1. 

The last time MSU advanced to the regional final was the 2024 NCAA Tournament, where it faced another Big Ten opponent. The Spartans fell to rival Michigan 5-2. 

Head coach Adam Nightingale has spoken on the strength of the Big Ten throughout the season, and how you have to be at your best to win in the conference. The demand for excellence is even greater in single-round elimination. 

First Round in Worcester

Wisconsin’s victory over Dartmouth was decided in the third period, highlighted by key goals from senior forwards Simon Tassy and Jake Horbach. Forwards Christian Fitzgerald and Quinn Finley also scored.

Wisconsin’s first goal came when Tassy buried a rebound on an early power play chance. Dartmouth was sent to the ice just two minutes in for too many players on the ice. 

Tassy’s goal was the very type that MSU fought to prevent all game against UConn. The Spartans went a perfect 5-5 on the penalty kill and focused on helping junior goaltender Trey Augustine during rebounds. The game was successful, but not an ideal situation.

Horbach’s go-ahead goal broke a 1-1 tie in transition after Wisconsin forced a turnover in the neutral zone. It came midway through the third period after the teams were tied at the first intermission. Tassy added an insurance goal, while Fitzgerald and Finley scored empty-netters.

Wisconsin outshot Dartmouth 28-14 and held a 39-25 faceoff advantage. 

MSU was outshot 42-22 in its game against UConn but maintained possession and killed off its penalties, aided by a 35-25 edge in faceoffs. The game was hectic and challenged the team to execute with fewer scoring opportunities, to regain composure when emotions ran high, and to remain poised in the final moments.

Nightingale called the game a growing opportunity. MSU has also grown from its four previous contests against Wisconsin.

MSU-Wisconsin this year

Wisconsin is the only team that swept one of its MSU series this season. That contest was last November, and the Spartans swept the Badgers in the second series. 

The first series was earlier in the season, on Nov. 21-22. Nightingale said he thought Wisconsin was the best team they’d played all year at that point. 

In the first contest, the Spartans led but gave up four goals in the second period, and their third-period effort was too little too late. The series finale was a better performance from MSU, holding the Badgers to one goal throughout the night and responding in the final minute to force overtime. Still, MSU came up short. 

After that game, freshman forward Porter Martone (who scored the game-tying goal) said the game was a good experience for the team because it needed to find different ways to win. That series was the first time MSU was trailing within a game. 

The second series saw timely goals from the Spartans, as well as a perfect penalty-kill unit (8-8) on the weekend. MSU only gave up goals on rushes and transition chances, areas the Badgers have capitalized on throughout their season. 

“I don’t think there’s a ton of secrets,” said Wisconsin head coach Mike Hastings about MSU. “We go to battle, and they’ve got two, and we’ve got two. They’re just, they’re Big Ten Hockey. They are deep, they’re talented. That top line is about as good a line as you’re gonna see in college hockey. The guy [Trey Augustine] between the posts is very accomplished, not only in college hockey, but internationally.” 

Great teams find ways to win, Nightingale said yesterday. The Spartans have learned how to succeed throughout the season, pulling from games and opponents that include Wisconsin. 

MSU and Wisconsin know each other well and understand how to beat one another. Either way, a Big Ten team will advance to the Frozen Four, but execution and discipline will be key for both sides.