Michigan State Stays Perfect After 5-1 Win Against RIT

The Michigan State hockey team entered its lone game of the weekend with its first road test of the season, traveling to Rochester, New York, to face RIT. The Spartans handled business like wily old veterans, showing why they are one of the top teams in the country.

There was a bit of give and take, with a brief feeling that RIT might be able to pull off the upset against the Spartans. However, the third period proved who the better team was, as Michigan State added three goals to a one-goal lead in the final 14 minutes to secure a massive 5-1 road victory and improve to 3-0 on the season.

Before the explosive third period, the Spartans and the RIT Tigers found themselves in a battle.

Michigan State jumped out to an early lead behind the wizard, Ryker Lee, who dazzled his way to his second goal of the season with a one-timer shot over the shoulder of the goalie. This came from an even more dazzling, no-look, between the legs pass from Gavin O'Connell. Lee is tied with Jack Hextall for second on the team in goals through three games. He is also tied for second on the team in points with five, alongside two other Spartans.

Chase Reid, the seventh overall pick by Seattle in this year's draft, also found the back of the net for his first goal of the season. The defenseman is one of the players tied with Lee at five points through the first three games, continuing to make an impact on both ends of the ice.

Things looked good for Michigan State until late in the second period, when RIT showed it wasn't going down without a fight. The Tigers found the back of the net to cut the Spartans' lead in half, setting up an important third period.

That's when Michigan State took control.

While shorthanded, the Spartans managed to extend their lead as captain Tommy Mannisto scored his first goal of the season and picked up his third point of the year. It was a pivotal moment that helped swing the momentum firmly back in Michigan State's favor.

Anthony Romani, who assisted on the Spartans' first two goals, then got in on the scoring himself. Romani netted his team-leading fourth goal of the season while continuing to lead Michigan State in points. With three assists to go along with his four goals, he now has seven points through three games.

Eric Nilson, the third Spartan tied for second on the team with five points alongside Reid and Lee, added an empty-net goal to put the finishing touches on Michigan State's 5-1 victory.

In net, Joshua Ravensbergen returned after sitting out the second game last weekend and looked every bit like the first-round talent selected in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Ravensbergen faced 25 shots, including a third-period onslaught in which RIT put 15 pucks on goal. He stood tall when his team needed him most, stopping 24 of 25 shots to help preserve the convincing road win.

Michigan State will head to Durham, New Hampshire, next weekend for a two-game series against New Hampshire on Friday and Saturday. With a 3-0 record and momentum building early in the season, the Spartans will look to keep their perfect start intact.