Shoudy’s OT winner lifts Spartans in top-three showdown at Munn Ice Arena
Final: Michigan State 2, Penn State 1 (OT) Location: Munn Ice Arena, East Lansing, MI Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
The Spartans and Nittany Lions took center stage in East Lansing on Friday night, capping off a perfect fall evening with a top-three showdown at Munn Ice Arena.
Penn State entered the matchup having won two of its last three games — all decided in shootouts — and holding a slight 22-20-8 all-time advantage over Michigan State since joining Division I in 2012–13. The Nittany Lions had climbed to No. 3 in the nation after a rough opening-night loss, while the Spartans carried the No. 1 ranking and two wins over then-top-ranked Boston University.
One week before the football teams meet in East Lansing, the hockey squads opened their own two-game series with major national implications — and both fanbases packed Munn, creating a playoff-like atmosphere from the opening faceoff.
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No.1 Michigan State Hockey wins a huge game in overtime against No.3 Penn State. Here the breakdown from Oscar Henderson and Jack Vohwinkle following the thrilling Spartan win.
Just three minutes in, Penn State had a prime two-on-one opportunity, but Spartan goaltender Trey Augustine — arguably the best in the nation — denied the Nittany Lions’ first big chance to keep it scoreless.
The opening period felt like the first round of a boxing match — cautious, physical, and full of jabs as both sides settled in. With five minutes left, Michigan State broke free on a rush, but Kevin Reidler, Penn State’s sophomore goalie, made a sharp stop on a backhand attempt through the five-hole. Seconds later, Eric Nilson created another shorthanded breakaway but pushed his shot just wide left.
Moments later, freshman Anthony Romani broke through. Sliding out from behind the net into open ice, Romani fired a quick shot past Reidler for the game’s first goal and a 1-0 Spartan lead heading into intermission.
The second period mirrored the first — tight, tactical, and defensive. Michigan State generated a quality chance early, but Reidler stood tall. With under three minutes remaining, Penn State caught a fortunate bounce when a loose puck deflected off Simon Laubach’s skate and past Augustine to tie it 1-1. Sometimes, it’s better to be lucky than good — and that’s how the second ended: deadlocked, as expected from a No. 1 vs. No. 3 clash.
Early in the third, Michigan State nearly retook the lead with a blue-line blast that ricocheted dangerously in front, but both goalies continued their standout performances. Romani had another golden chance on a breakaway midway through the period but couldn’t convert. With five minutes to go, Augustine made a crucial right-leg save to deny Penn State’s best look. The Spartans kept pressing late — including another shorthanded rush — but Reidler held firm to send it to overtime.
It didn’t take long in the extra frame for the Spartans to finish the job. A few minutes in, Tommi Mannisto corralled the puck low on the left side and found senior Tiernan Shoudy alone on the right. Shoudy buried it top shelf — where Mom hides the peanut butter — to give Michigan State the dramatic 2-1 overtime win.
Munn Ice Arena erupted as the Spartans poured onto the ice to celebrate.
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TIERNAN SHOUDY TO WIN IT IN OT GO GREEEEEEN
The No. 1 Spartans held off the No. 3 Nittany Lions in a defensive battle, taking Game One of the series. But the job isn’t finished — the two teams meet again Saturday at 4 p.m. EST at Munn for another heavyweight showdown. And if history’s any indication, overtime might be back on the menu.
⭐ Game Leaders
Michigan State:
- Anthony Romani — 1 G (1st Period)
- Tiernan Shoudy — 1 G (OT, GWG)
- Trey Augustine — 29 Saves
Penn State:
- Simon Laubach — 1 G (2nd Period)
- Kevin Reidler — 34 Saves
📅 Next Up
Game Two: Saturday, November 8 — 4 p.m. EST, Munn Ice Arena (East Lansing, MI)