For the first time since 2012, the Michigan State men's hockey team is headed back to the NCAA Championships, more commonly known as the Frozen Four, after a season-clinching Big Ten regular season title and a thrilling overtime Big Ten Tournament title.
As the clock ran down and the crowd inside Munn Ice Arena was on its feet, the winning goal slipped past the University of Michigan goaltender, hit the side of the post and went into the net. Freshman defenseman Patrick Geary, the player who scored the final goal, went skating toward freshman goaltender Trey Augustine, his teammates following, as the Spartans conquered their mission of becoming not only Big Ten regular season champions but also the Big Ten Tournament champions, all in one season.
The time had come for Michigan State men's hockey. A chance to prove itself as the team it had shown the whole season. With the opportunity to host the Big Ten championship game, the Spartans welcomed the University of Michigan Wolverines. After a game that lasted three full periods and an overtime, the Michigan State men's hockey team took home the win and was crowned tournament champions, after a 5-4 win.
Hot off a win against the Ohio State Buckeyes to advance to the Big Ten championship game, the Michigan State Spartans step into unknown territory as they look for their first Big Ten Men's Hockey Tournament title in program history. Not only that, but the Spartans have the chance to do so against their in-state rival, the University of Michigan Wolverines.
After being crowned Big Ten regular season champions for the first time in program history and given a shot at becoming the Big Ten Tournament champions, the 2024 Big Ten award winners were announced on Tuesday, March 19, solidifying huge accomplishments for the Michigan State men's hockey program.
As the fans poured in, and the "Go Green, Go White" chants rang out throughout Munn Ice Arena before puck drop was even underway, the Spartans were ready to take the ice. After a hard-fought 60 minutes, the Spartans skated away with an intense 2-1 win, playing tough defense, breaking up Ohio State passes and connecting passes to control a majority of the game.
With an opportunity to host their very first Big Ten semifinal game, the Michigan State Spartans came into the game with one goal: win. With a crowd that has buzzed consistently the entire season and a playoff atmosphere ringing through Munn, the Spartans held on to a 2-1 lead and a win to head to the Big Ten championship game.
After clinching the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten tournament and being crowned the regular season champions, the Spartans were awarded with a bye-week. The Spartans now prepare to take on the No. 7 seed Ohio State University, a team that's been hot as they took down the No. 2 seed Wisconsin Badgers in a three-game series.
After a clinching victory to earn the title of Big Ten Champions for the first time in program history, the Michigan State men's hockey team traveled back to East Lansing in preparation for their semifinal game and an opportunity to host an opponent for the Saturday, March 16 game in the Big Ten Tournament. While Michigan State silently waits for its turn in the tournament, the success of the Spartans' season has been anything but unnoticed, from record-breaking achievements for the team, for the coaches and the youngest goaltender in college hockey.
With the continuing success of the Michigan State hockey program, including a record season and a Big Ten regular season championship, a new five-year contract for head coach Adam Nightingale has been announced. Under the helm of Nightingale, Michigan State's hockey team has had one of the best turnarounds in the history of college hockey and has not gone unnoticed, resulting in the announcement of the contract from MSU Vice President and Director of Athletics, Alan Haller.
Coming off of a split weekend against the Wisconsin Badgers and clinching the Big Ten regular season champions title, the Spartans made moves in the polls for the final week of the regular season before hopping into the Big Ten Tournament. While Michigan State stayed in its No. 6 rank in the USCHO polls – just behind the Badgers – as well as keeping its No. 5 spot in the PairWise rankings, the Spartans jumped ahead of their previous opponents into the No. 5 rank in the USA Hockey polls, just behind the powerhouse Denver University by one lone point.
With continuous hard work and a season unlike any other, the Michigan State Spartans hockey team is the regular season Big Ten champions for the first time in conference history. Here is a summary of MSU's last weekend of regular season play and what is in store for the team as it heads into the Big Ten Tournament.
Night one of the Michigan State and Ohio State series brought a tough loss, as the hungry Buckeyes fought for the win more than the Spartans. But, the roles quickly flipped on night two as MSU came in hot for an incredible 5-2 win and a position to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten with a big upcoming weekend.
After a tough 6-2 loss to the Buckeyes on night one of the series, Michigan State's hockey was on the prowl for a comeback win on Senior Night to take down its visitors once and for all. Three goals in the second period helped the Spartans beat Ohio State 5-2 on the second and last night of the team's final home series this season.
After a bye week for the Spartans, the men's hockey team was back at Munn Ice Arena for the final home series of the regular season to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes. OSU is currently ranked last in the Big Ten with just a lone three conference wins, but after a prior weekend sweep against the Wisconsin Badgers, the Buckeyes kept their hot streak alive and took a dominating 6-2 win over the Spartans.
The time had finally arrived for the last home series of the regular season for the Michigan State Spartans, and another opportunity at a big sweep against the Ohio State Buckeyes, but MSU took a quick fall in the second period which resulted in a 6-2 loss in night one of the two-game series.
In the blink of an eye, the Michigan State Spartans' successful hockey season has flashed by and the last home series of the regular season has arrived as the team prepares to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes for a chance to fight for the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten.
Being sixth in the polls after a sweep of their in-state rivals, the Michigan Wolverines, the Spartans went to the bye week in high spirits, and even without play, the team continued to make big moves as the Spartans jumped to fourth place in both the USCHO and USA Hockey polls. This is the highest rank the Spartans have received in the polls since the team ranked third place back in their 2007 season.
After a huge sweep for the first time since the 2019 season, the Spartans took down No. 14 Michigan and landed themselves tied at No. 5 in the USA Hockey polls, as well as No. 6 in the USCHO, jumping three spots from their previous No. 8 and No. 9 rankings, respectively.
The Michigan State Spartans went into the rivalry weekend against the University of Michigan Wolverines with the same end goal in mind they've had all season: to sweep their opponent. In a harshly fought battle, the Spartans did just that as they concluded the weekend with a 3-2 victory of the Duel in the D matchup, Michigan State's first win since 2016.