Saturday, April 11, 2026

Take a peek behind the curtain and test drive the NEW StateNews.com today!

Ice Hockey

ICE HOCKEY

Augustine wins Richter Award, leads MSU hockey's All-American trio

Audrey Dayton
April 11, 2026

Michigan State hockey's former goaltender Trey Augustine won the Mike Richter Award, awarded to the top goaltender in college hockey. He also made his professional debut and was named an All-American, along with former forward Porter Martone and senior center Charlie Stramel. Martone has been playing at the NHL level since signing with the Flyers and Stramel is finishing his degree due to injury.

ICE HOCKEY

OT loss to Wisconsin ends chapter for MSU hockey seniors

Audrey Dayton
March 29, 2026

Michigan State hockey’s 4-3 overtime loss to Wisconsin marked the end of an era that's been characterized by an MSU hockey rebuild. Next season will be the first season under coach Adam Nightingale without seniors Tiernan Shoudy, Matt Basgall and Daniel Russell, a trio that has laid the groundwork for what Spartan hockey currently is. Senior center Charlie Stramel and junior goaltender Trey Augustine have also left their marks as impactful players in the last couple seasons. The future of MSU hockey now lies in the hands of those who didn’t know MSU as a bottom of the Big Ten program. 

ICE HOCKEY

MSU faces Wisconsin with Frozen Four berth at stake

Audrey Dayton
March 27, 2026

No. 1-seeded Michigan State hockey will face Wisconsin, the No. 3 regional seed. Puck drop is set for 4:36 p.m. on Saturday, March 28. The game will be streamed on ESPN.  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.

ICE HOCKEY

Grit and goaltending carry MSU hockey past UConn

Audrey Dayton
March 26, 2026

Michigan State hockey was backed by an excellent goaltending performance from Trey Augustine, paired resiliency to take a 2-1 win over UConn. MSU took five penalties throughout the game, but responded with successful kills and executed goals. The Spartans advance to the final round of regionals in the NCAA Tournament and will face Wisconsin for a chance at advancing to the Frozen Four.

ICE HOCKEY

By the Numbers: Breaking down MSU hockey vs. UConn

Audrey Dayton
March 24, 2026

While numbers will never fully encompass a team or player, they can still provide insight into Michigan State hockey’s upcoming contest against UConn. MSU holds a better scoring offense and defense compared to the Huskies, with its top line generating more goals and points. However, UConn blocks far more shots than the Spartans with a tight defensive zone. The goaltenders are neck and neck, with Trey Augustine holding a narrow edge statistically. The No. 1-seeded Spartans are set to face the No. 4 Huskies in the Worcester Regional, the first rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Puck drop is set for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, at DCU Arena. 

SPORTS

MSU and UConn set to battle on ice and hardwood in consecutive days

Tyler Gaylord
March 24, 2026

Michigan State finds itself in a rare position this week with both its hockey and men's basketball programs alive in their respective NCAA Tournaments — facing the same opponent. The Spartans take on UConn on Thursday in the NCAA Regional before turning around and facing the Huskies again in the Sweet 16 on Friday, with a National Championship still within reach in both.

ICE HOCKEY

Staying true to itself will drive MSU hockey’s postseason

Audrey Dayton
March 24, 2026

Michigan State hockey doesn’t need a superhero in the NCAA Tournament; it needs a team that stays true to its identity. It needs veteran leadership, seniors who have felt the sting of single-elimination games. It needs the 11 freshmen who spread enthusiasm at the rink, and have harnessed that under pressure. And it needs a team that’s hungry to win. Coach Adam Nightingale is only asking his team to be itself.

ICE HOCKEY

Scouting the region: No. 1 seed MSU hockey to open Worcester Regional

Audrey Dayton
March 24, 2026

Michigan State hockey, the No. 1 seed in the Worcester Regional, will open NCAA Tournament play against the No. 4 UConn Huskies on Thursday, with the winner facing either Dartmouth Big Green or Wisconsin Badgers. Spartans forward Nightingale highlighted the challenge ahead, saying, “It's not easy to make this tournament… whoever you're going to play, you're going to play a good team.”