“College hockey is where you find the purest love for the game. It’s not about contracts — it’s about pride, teammates, and school colors.” — Jack Parker, former Boston University coach

For the love of the game — that’s what this one is all about. An epic showdown between two top-three ranked teams comes right into your living room this Friday at 7 p.m., as the #3 Michigan State Spartans take on the #1 Boston University Terriers.

Boston will host MSU with a 2-0-1 record to start the season. The Terriers defeated LIU 4–2, followed by a 6–2 win over Colgate, before skating to a 2–2 tie in the rematch the very next day. BU comes into this game with a chip on its shoulder after that draw and will look to reignite its high-powered offense, which has decreased by two goals in each game so far. The Terriers are led by sophomore Cole Eiserman, who already has five goals on 19 shots through three contests.

Michigan State enters the matchup at 1-1, coming off a heartbreaking last-second loss to New Hampshire in its opener. Getting scored on with five seconds remaining lit a fire under goaltender Trey Augustine, who responded the next day with a shutout in a 2–0 Spartan win. Michigan State’s five goals this season have come from five different players, but their true backbone is Augustine, who looks to slam the door on BU’s powerhouse offense.

Lucky for anyone with ESPN2, this epic showdown of class and pride will be available right as you settle in for Friday night. Originally slated for an ESPNU broadcast, the game has been promoted to ESPN2, meaning many more fans will get to watch two elite programs collide under the national spotlight. You could always head to your local watering hole and ask them to flip on ESPN2 — and you’ll avoid sounding like a casual asking if they get ESPNU.

The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET.

Both teams come in hungry for an early-season statement win — maybe even a preview of a National Championship showdown. While the Spartans and Terriers have never met in the title game, both are perennial contenders. Could this be the year they meet on the sport’s biggest stage? We’ll get an early glimpse Friday night on ESPN2.