Michigan State Falls to Michigan in Game One

Only 60 miles separate the two in-state rivals.

On a frigid Friday night in East Lansing, all eyes were locked not on the snow piling up outside Munn Ice Arena but on the ice inside. No. 1 Michigan made the short trip northwest to invade Spartan territory as No. 3 Michigan State looked determined to defend home ice in the first leg of a home-and-home series. Before puck drop, newly hired Michigan State football coach Pat Fitzgerald delivered the ceremonial drop, setting the tone for a high-stakes rivalry matchup.

Michigan State came out firing with noticeable energy—but also with enough edge to take the first penalty of the game. Michigan generated no shots on the man advantage, and it took nearly five minutes for either team to record another attempt.

That’s when Melcolm Spence, the New York Rangers’ second-round pick, buried a one-timer past Trey Augustine to give Michigan a 1–0 lead. The Spartans responded by killing another penalty and nearly tied it seconds later on a breakaway, but Wolverines goalie Jake Ivankovic shut the door.

Michigan State earned its first power play at the halfway mark and generated quality looks, but Ivankovic remained unshakable. The period finished with tempers flaring as both teams needed to be separated. Michigan led 1–0 and held an 8–7 edge in shots.

The second period opened with fast-paced, end-to-end action. Michigan’s shots consistently found their way to Augustine, while the Spartans’ chances went wide or failed to register on goal.

Eight minutes in, Michigan State finally recorded its first official shot of the period. Despite the pace, shot totals remained low as both teams favored transition rushes over sustained pressure.

At the midway point, Michigan appeared to extend its lead when a high shot deflected off Frank Nazar and into the net—only for MSU’s bench to challenge successfully. The call was overturned due to contact above the crossbar, keeping the game 1–0.

The no-goal ruling gave the Spartans life, but Ivankovic slammed the door repeatedly. On the other end, Augustine matched him save for save. As the period wound down, Michigan State’s tendency to look for the extra pass became increasingly costly. A team averaging nearly 40 shots per game sat at just 11 with four minutes left.

Another MSU penalty—its third—was killed effectively, with Michigan producing only one shot across its three power plays. The second period ended just like the first: Michigan up 1–0, and both teams shoving as the horn sounded.

Down a goal and being outshot 18–13, Michigan State needed urgency—and shots. But the game’s rhythm continued the same: lots of skating, not many pucks on net.

Michigan pushed its shot total past 20 with harmless attempts, while MSU’s best early chance came from Tommi Mannisto on a smooth move to the net, again denied by Ivankovic.

Just past the halfway point, Michigan finally doubled its lead. Aidan Park, the second-to-last pick in the NHL Draft, fired a shot past Augustine’s glove to make it 2–0. This time, the goal stood.

The Wolverines’ defense tightened even more, and Ivankovic remained a brick wall. Michigan State failed repeatedly to establish sustained pressure, and another late penalty proved costly. Michigan capitalized on its fourth power play of the night, stretching the lead to 3–0.

The final horn brought one more round of pushing and shoving, frustration spilling out for the Spartans—“If you can’t win the game, win the fight.”

Michigan State trailed from the opening minutes and never found its offensive rhythm. The Spartans overpassed, under-shot, and finished with fewer than 20 shots—well below their season average. The defense spent too much time reacting, and while Augustine played solidly, Michigan’s early goal and late surge defined the night.

A rough Friday for the Spartans, but they’ll have a chance at redemption Saturday in Ann Arbor.