Spartans extend win streak to nine, overpowering Notre Dame with NHL talent and decisive scoring. Dominance continues.
The No. 1–ranked Michigan State Spartans men’s hockey team made their way to South Bend, IN, to face off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this past weekend.
Michigan State entered the series riding a seven-game winning streak, including impressive victories over Boston University (then No. 1) and Penn State (then No. 3). Led by first-round NHL talent all over the roster, the Spartans arrived in South Bend on a serious high.
Notre Dame, meanwhile, came in battling to get back to a .500 record. After losing four straight, the Fighting Irish were looking to defend home ice with a 3-6-1 record and hoping chaos could be their only path to an upset.
Joey Freshwater Forever (@BruMSU_) on X
Michigan State Hockey is so good they’re just going for style points this weekend
Friday: Game One
Michigan State 4 — Notre Dame 1
The Spartans jumped out early behind first-round selection Porter Martone, who scored the lone goal of the first period with assists from Charlie Stramel and Daniel Russell. It was a relatively clean opening frame — just an offsetting “hit after the whistle” call and a too-many-men penalty on MSU.
The second period opened things up on both the scoring sheet and the penalty sheet. Six minutes in, while on the power play, Martone buried his second goal of the night, assisted by Ryker Lee and Matt Basgall.
Speaking of Ryker Lee — he delivered one of the best non-goals you’ll ever see. Scooping the puck with his stick, popping it into the air, knocking it down, crossing up a defender so badly it looked like the poor guy might never walk normally again, and ripping a shot off the crossbar. Even though it didn’t count, the play was magnificent.
Notre Dame’s Carter Slaggert picked up his second penalty of the period, but the Spartans failed to extend the lead. Moments later, Shane Vansaghi was caught for slashing, giving Notre Dame a power play they used to cut the lead in half. Paul Fischer scored the Irish’s lone goal.
The third period belonged to the Spartans. Maxim Strbak added MSU’s third goal eight minutes in, and Ryker Lee sealed the game with an empty-netter for a 4–1 win — and an eighth straight victory.
Saturday: Game Two
Paul Sorensen (@Draper33Paul) on X
Yeah!!!! Michigan State hockey won last night!! LETS GO Spartans! #Spartans #GoSpartans #GoSpartans #GoMSUSpartans #CollegeHockey #NCAADivision1MensHockey #BIG10Hockey #BIG10
Michigan State 3 — Notre Dame 1
Michigan State wasted no time again. This time it was the man who nearly broke the internet the night before — Ryker Lee — striking just 89 seconds into the game. Anyone watching on Peacock could tell immediately: this one already felt over with 58:31 left on the clock.
Early in the second, Martone added his third goal of the series and team-leading seventh of the season. The score came on assists from Charlie Stramel — who tied Daniel Russell for the team lead with eight assists — and Owen West.
Notre Dame responded halfway through the period when Danny Nelson cut the lead to 2–1. For the second straight night, MSU entered the third up by one.
The third period turned into a tight, physical goaltender battle. A pair of offsetting cross-checks were the only penalties, and both teams played clean hockey the rest of the way. Tommi Mannisto sealed the sweep with a late empty-netter, giving MSU a 3–1 win and a dominant weekend in South Bend.
Michigan State Now 9–1: Nation’s No. 1 Team Rolling
The Spartans now sit at 9–1, riding a nine-game winning streak, and firmly holding onto the nation’s No. 1 ranking.
Stat Leaders
Goals
- Porter Martone — 7
- Tommi Mannisto — 6
- Charlie Stramel — 5
Assists
- Charlie Stramel — 8
- Daniel Russell — 8
- Porter Martone — 7
Goaltending — Trey Augustine
- 220 saves
- 12 GA
- 1.32 GAA
- .948 save percentage
- 3 shutouts
- 8–1 record
Next Up
Michigan State vs. Wisconsin Friday 11/21 and Saturday 11/22 Munn Ice Arena — East Lansing