NMU finished 3-29-2 last season — the worst record in college hockey — but MSU head coach Adam Nightingale doesn't want his team measuring success solely by the scoreboard against an opponent it's expected to beat.

The Wildcats already showed they can be a difficult foe this season after splitting their opening series with Miami University. NMU won the opener 3-0 before falling 4-1 Saturday.

This weekend presents a different challenge for MSU than last week's exhibition against No. 12 Boston College. Rather than simply competing with a highly ranked opponent, MSU will be expected to control this series from start to finish.

“I think (against) any good team, you want to try to control the game and make sure the game's played on your terms,” Nightingale said.

To call this weekend a success, MSU hopes for more than just two wins. Nightingale said MSU needs to eliminate easy offensive chances, manage the puck and sustain consistent pressure. 

“We want to play the game in your face,” Nightingale said. “We want to pressure the puck. We want to play with the puck. We want to support the puck. We want to get to the inside, and we want to be hard to play against.”

MSU showed flashes of that style against Boston College, but junior forward Shane Vansaghi said the Spartans also saw areas where they could improve after four weeks of practice.

“I think we could have been a little bit harder to play against as a team in all three zones,” Vansaghi said.

NMU gives the Spartans an opportunity to clean those things up while maintaining the intensity they showed against Boston College. Nightingale said the level of competition cannot dictate how his team approaches the game.

“It can be fun to go; you get a chance, we get a chance, you get a chance at hockey,” Nightingale said. “It's not a recipe for long-term success.”

The Wildcats return sophomore goaltender Oliver Auyeung-Ashton, who posted a .930 save percentage and a 2.67 goals-against average despite going 2-13-1 last season. NMU underwent significant roster turnover, but Nightingale said MSU will still have to earn its opportunities.

“If you're looking for easy offense, that's not going to happen,” Nightingale said. “You got to really work.”

For sophomore forward Anthony Romani, the opening series also provides a chance to build on the chemistry he developed with sophomore forward Eric Nilson last season. Romani, Nilson and freshman forward Ethan Belchetz combined for 4 goals and 4 assists against Boston College, and they want to carry that momentum into the weekend.

Romani said he wants to avoid the slower start he had as a freshman after coming to MSU from the junior ranks.

“This year it's just trying to come at full pace right away from the start of the season,” Romani said.

The Spartans have a high probability of winning both games if they can dictate play, limit NMU's opportunities, maintain pressure and establish their identity from the opening shifts.