Sophomore forward Anthony Romani continued his hot start to the season, scoring a shorthanded goal in the second period to give the Spartans a three-goal cushion. Romani has 3 goals in MSU's first two regular-season games.

Despite the convincing victory, MSU head coach Adam Nightingale said his team still has room to improve, particularly at even strength. 

“I thought today our number one quality was our talent, and that's not what our program's about,” Nightingale said. “It's got to be about work and doing things with detail and losing yourself in the team.”

After Northern Michigan tied the game early in the second period, MSU responded with four unanswered scores to pull away.

NMU sophomore forward Mikey Burchill scored at the 1:45 mark into the second period, beating Sigurdson on a partial breakaway to tie the game at 1. The Spartans struggled with turnovers early in the period, allowing the Wildcats to build momentum.

MSU regained control with its first power-play opportunity of the game. At the 9:49 mark, Belchetz redirected a shot from freshman forward Jack Hextall past NMU goaltender Oliver Auyeung-Ashton to restore the Spartans' lead. Freshman defenseman Chase Reid helped orchestrate the power play, moving the puck effectively before Hextall fired toward the net.

The Spartans extended their lead less than four minutes later. After a strong forecheck, Clark forced his way into the play, collected the puck on his backhand and found sophomore forward Ryker Lee in front of an open net.

Romani added a shorthanded goal after stealing the puck in the defensive zone; he skated the length of the ice and beat Auyeung-Ashton with a forehand-to-backhand move.

“I think that comes with stacking shifts,” Clark said. “I think when that happens when we score goals, we do a good job of staying on their defense, playing relentlessly, winning puck battles.”

MSU's penalty kill again played a central role in the victory. The Spartans weathered an early Northern Michigan power play in the first period and killed a second-period penalty in which Romani scored a shorthanded goal. MSU has now killed all eight power plays it has faced through its first two regular-season games.

Nightingale credited his team's execution on special teams, particularly when Northern Michigan began building momentum.

“I thought the power play executed at critical times for us,” Nightingale said. “I thought Q (Quentin Sigurdson) played great.”

The Spartans had strong contributions from their young defensemen. Reid and freshman defenseman Brady Peddle consistently moved the puck up ice and helped generate offensive opportunities, including on Clark's opening goal.

At 9:33 of the first period, Clark finished a give-and-go with Peddle to put MSU ahead. The play began as a 2-on-1 with Clark and senior forward Tommi Männistö before Peddle joined the rush and returned the puck to Clark for an open-net finish.

Sigurdson, who transferred from Northeastern, remained composed throughout his first start, making key saves while limiting second chances.

Clark's goal and assist highlighted the impact of MSU's transfer additions. Nightingale said Clark's ability to contribute defensively was a key reason MSU brought him in.

“He brought energy and juice and competitiveness, and did a great job on the penalty kill,” Nightingale said. “I thought he was even better tonight.”

Hextall capped the scoring in the third period, finishing a one-timer from the left circle on the power play. Freshman defenseman Tommy Bleyl and sophomore forward Eric Nilson assisted on the goal.

MSU will look to carry its special teams success into its first road game as the Spartans travel to New York to face Rochester Institute of Technology on Oct. 17.