WHO: No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 3 Michigan State

WHEN: Friday at 8:30 PM EST / Saturday at 7:00 PM EST

WHERE: Munn Ice Arena (Friday) / Yost Ice Arena (Saturday)

WATCH: Big Ten Network (Fri) / Big Ten Plus (Sat)

This weekend brings one of the most anticipated home-and-home series in college hockey, as No. 1 Michigan and No. 3 Michigan State collide with both teams holding legitimate national championship aspirations. With the short distance between Ann Arbor and East Lansing, fans get the rare chance to see each team defend its own barn on back-to-back nights—Munn and Yost both hosting some of the sport’s premier talent.

Michigan enters the matchup at 15–3 overall, tied for first in the Big Ten at 6–2. Michigan State sits at 11–3 overall with a 4–2 conference mark, keeping hold of the No. 3 national ranking after sweeping Colgate last weekend.

The Spartans continue to thrive defensively, allowing just 1.71 goals per game—third best in the nation. Freshman standout Porter Martone leads the way offensively with 10 goals and 19 total points through 14 games, emerging as one of the Big Ten’s most dangerous young scorers. Behind him, goaltender Trey Augustine remains one of the country’s elite. His 9–3 record and 1.71 goals-against average put him among the NCAA’s top statistical performers, and no goaltender with more than 475 minutes played has a better GAA this season.

Michigan arrives with firepower unmatched anywhere in college hockey. Will Horcoff, Michael Hage, and T.J. Hughes all share the national scoring lead with 26 points each. Horcoff, fresh off earning Big Ten First Star honors, leads the nation with 18 goals, while Hughes leads the country in assists. In net, Jack Ivankovic has been just as dominant, recording an NCAA-best 15 wins while posting a .922 save percentage and a 2.00 GAA. Special teams give Michigan yet another edge: a power play converting at 30.7%, good for fourth nationally, and a penalty kill that not only sits at 83.3% but has somehow produced seven shorthanded goals.

Michigan scores in bunches, averaging more than five goals per game. Michigan State, though, has made a habit of forcing teams out of their rhythm, slowing high-octane offenses to a crawl behind Augustine’s remarkable consistency and a defensive core that rarely breaks.

Two teams with top-tier talent, two completely different identities, and two rinks that will be absolutely electric. If Michigan is the offensive juggernaut, Michigan State is the wall built to stop it. This series will go a long way in shaping the Big Ten race—and perhaps even the national picture.

Predictions

Friday (East Lansing): Michigan State 4, Michigan 3

Saturday (Ann Arbor): Michigan State 3, Michigan 2