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Sports | Ice Hockey

ICE HOCKEY

Four MSU hockey players competing in World Juniors

Audrey Dayton
December 27, 2025

Four members of the No. 3 Michigan State hockey team are competing in the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Minnesota, joined by future Spartan defenseman Chase Reid. Freshmen Ryker Lee, Porter Martone and Eric Nilson, along with sophomore Shane Vansaghi, earned spots on final World Juniors rosters, while Reid was named to Team USA. The tournament runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 in St. Paul and Minneapolis, with all games broadcast on NHL Network.

ICE HOCKEY

No. 3 MSU hockey set for series against rival No. 1 Michigan

Audrey Dayton
December 4, 2025

For the 13 newcomers on the Spartan hockey roster, this weekend will serve as an introduction to rivalry hockey. No. 3 Michigan State hockey will take on No. 1 Michigan, splitting home ice. The Spartans will host Game 1 of the series on Friday, Dec. 5 in Munn Ice Arena. Puck drop is set for 8:30 p.m. EST on Big Ten Network. MSU enters the series 11-3-0 overall and 4-2-0 in Big Ten play. Similarly, Michigan holds a 15-3-0 record, 6-2-0 in conference action. Michigan's scoring offense ranks No. 1 in the country and MSU will need to limit scoring opportunities, playing smart, hard and fast.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU hockey comes up short, loses 2-1 in overtime

Audrey Dayton
November 23, 2025

After dropping Game 1 with a 5-4 loss, No. 1 Michigan State hockey looked to split its series against No. 7 Wisconsin. MSU played tighter defense and sharper offense than the previous night, but gave up a power-play goal in the second period. Despite knotting the game in the final period, the Spartans lost 2-1 in overtime. 

ICE HOCKEY

MSU hockey shuts out Penn State in series' sweep

Audrey Dayton
November 9, 2025

Less than 24 hours after an overtime win No. 1 Michigan State hockey returned to Munn Ice Arena, looking to sweep its series against No. 3 Penn State. The Spartans set the tone with a 1-0 early lead in the first and never trailed, going on to earn a 5-0 shutout. 

ICE HOCKEY

MSU hockey takes down Penn State in overtime thriller

Audrey Dayton
November 8, 2025

No. 1 MSU hockey defeated No. 3 Penn State in its conference opener after taking a 1-0 lead in the first period. The Nittany Lions evened the score off the stick of the projected No. 1 2026 NHL Draft pick. The game remained tied at the end of regulation, but MSU's reliable duo orchestrated a game winning shot to earn the Spartan victory.

ICE HOCKEY

Munnsters’ rise reflects Adam Nightingale’s MSU hockey revival

Audrey Dayton
November 6, 2025

The rise of the Munnsters (MSU hockey's student section) mirrors the program’s own revival. Nightingale’s return to his alma mater has lifted MSU hockey back into national contention and given students something to rally around. The chants, the lines, the road trips — they’re all proof of how much this team, and its coach, have changed what hockey feels like in East Lansing.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU hockey set to face Penn State in conference opener

Audrey Dayton
November 6, 2025

No. 1 MSU hockey will face No. 3 Penn State on Nov. 7 and 8 at home to kick off Big Ten play. This matchup is full of thrills, as last season MSU did not perform as well as it had hoped against Penn State. The Spartans will face a team with a similar style of hockey as well as former CHL teammates and the projected No. 1 2026 NHL Draft pick.