Michigan State Earns Redemption in 2-1 Win Over New Hampshire

After a disappointing 1-0 shutout loss to open the weekend against New Hampshire, the Spartans bounced back in the second game of the series and held strong for a 2-1 win, splitting the weekend series against the Wildcats.

Though it was no easy task, the teams stayed deadlocked at zero until just two and a half minutes remained in the second period. Leading up to that point, Spartans goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen played out of his mind to keep the game nil-to-nil.

Ravensbergen’s ability to come out of the crease and challenge shooters, cutting down almost all angles, is such a sight for sore eyes. There’s a reason Ravensbergen is ranked as a top goalie prospect and was drafted in the first round. He’s becoming must-see TV.

With under three minutes remaining in the second period, the Spartans finally connected on their first goal of the weekend. Jimmy Clark came flying into the zone with Mason West racing by his side, with a Wildcats defender splitting them up in the middle.

Clark looked like he would simply drive the net, drawing the defender closer to him at the last second. Clark waited patiently for the opportunity and calmly got the puck over to his teammate, West, as the defender started to shift. In one bang-bang play, the puck was in the back of the net, and courtesy of West, the Spartans had their first goal and lead of the weekend.

Clark earned his second assist of the season and third point, while Tommi Mannisto added an assist on the goal as well, recording his first assist of the season and second point overall. Meanwhile, freshman Mason West notched his first goal and point of the season and his career.

Michigan State added a much-needed second goal just five and a half minutes into the third period when Anthony Romani sniped his fifth goal of the season. Romani continues to lead the team in both goals and points, with eight points overall.

On the goal, Ryker Lee added his fourth assist of the season. He is tied with Chase Reid and Eric Nilson for the team lead in assists, while sitting second on the team in points with six. Thomas Bleyl also added his third assist and third point of the season on the goal.

The game was far from over, though. Less than four minutes later, New Hampshire scored its first goal of the game as Emile Guite netted his second goal of the series. A power-play goal for the second consecutive day brought the Wildcats within one.

Ravensbergen once again stood on his head to close out the game, and the Spartans held on for the win.

Michigan State was once again outshot by a wide margin, 39-23. Across both games this weekend, the Spartans were outshot 73-37. Luckily, Ravensbergen played as well as anyone in the nation, stopping 71 of the 73 total shots he faced against New Hampshire.

The Spartans improve to 4-1 on the season after earning a much-needed bounce-back victory to split the weekend series.

Michigan State will face off against No. 3 North Dakota next weekend on Halloween night, setting up a major test for the Spartans as they look to carry this momentum into their next series.