No. 4 MSU hockey is in the midst of a two-weekend homestand with a recent surge in momentum.
MSU hockey's young fourth forward line consisting of freshman Shane Vansaghi, freshman Mikey DeAngelo and sophomore Tommi Männistö has played consistently well through eight games this season.
It was a matter of who wanted it more in the second game of MSU's conference-opening series.
MSU's top line of Russell and junior forwards Karsen Dorwart and Joey Larson have a combined 14 points through the first seven games of the season. Russell has been the standout of the three, netting his fifth goal of the season as the game-winner Friday.
No. 3 MSU welcomed the red-hot, No. 13 Buckeyes for its first conference matchup of the season. With tough defensive effort from both teams, the Spartans put up a fight and took a 4-2 victory over the Buckeyes.
No. 3 Michigan State hockey is set to host No. 13 Ohio State this weekend for its first Big Ten series of the season.
When off the ice, players on the MSU hockey team can be found at the team Ping-Pong table competing against one another.
The Spartans jumped from No. 4 to the No. 3 spot in the USCHO and USA Hockey Polls and senior forward Tanner Kelly was awarded the Big Ten Third Star of the Week.
MSU hockey dominated from start to finish Friday night, outshooting Windsor 44-13 en route to a 5-0 shutout.
Ahead of MSU hockey's exhibition against a small school from Windsor, Ontario, Nightingale emphasized the importance of team maturation after last weekend's heavyweight battle.
After MSU's 3-0 loss Friday night, head coach Adam Nightingale said the problem wasn't within the lineups he rolled out. But less than 24 hours later, he jumbled four forward lines to start in the series finale.
After battling tooth and nail with the Eagles through 60 minutes, the Spartans pulled off a statement 4-3 victory over the No. 2-ranked team in the country, the 600th program win at Munn Ice Arena.
The Spartan hockey MSU fans have grown accustomed to under head coach Nightingale was absent Friday night against Boston College. The Spartans were shut out 3-0 after turning in a "cutesy" effort.
Just 90 seconds into the second period Friday night, it was clear MSU hockey was in trouble against the No. 2 team in the country. MSU was outplayed 3-0 by the Eagles by way of sloppy passes and poor stick handling, silencing Munn Ice Arena in MSU's home opener.
