Thursday, March 28, 2024

Sports | Ice Hockey

ICE HOCKEY

Creating history: MSU hockey beats Michigan in Big Ten championship game

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.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU hockey crowned Big Ten Tournament champions for first time in program history

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.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU men's hockey prepares to take action against University of Michigan in Big Ten championship game

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.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU hockey by the numbers: Spartans set franchise milestones and soared through 2023-2024 season

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.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU hockey head coach Adam Nightingale receives a five-year contract extension

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.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU hockey's Trey Augustine named Big Ten Second Star of the Week, Spartans move up to fifth in USA Hockey polls

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.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU hockey not enough for Ohio State's momentum, lose 6-2 in night one of series

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.

ICE HOCKEY

MSU hockey jumps to No. 4 in USCHO and No. 3 in PairWise rankings during bye week

 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.