Spartans hold strong at No. 2 after an outdoor thriller, setting the stage for a monumental clash against rival No. 1 Michigan.
As anticipated, the Spartans remain the No. 2 team in the nation after sweeping the Penn State Nittany Lions this past weekend, capped by an instant classic outdoors at Beaver Stadium.
Michigan State completed the four-game season sweep of Penn State with a thrilling 5–4 overtime win in front of 70,000+ fans in frigid conditions. The victory was powered by a hat trick from the team’s new leader in goals, Charlie Stramel.
One of the coolest games ever to watch, this wasn’t just an instant classic — it was a reminder of how beautiful sports can be. A light, literally and figuratively, cast down from the sky like an exclamation point thrown by God himself. A reminder that with everything going on in life, sometimes it’s okay to slow down, relax, and watch a sport driven not by money, but by emotion and heart. College hockey is truly a beautiful thing — and watching it outdoors, with the sun beaming down during a 5–4 overtime battle, only amplified that magic.
With that massive win, coupled with Friday night’s statement victory indoors, the Spartans did enough to hold off the surging then–No. 5 Nittany Lions. Now, Michigan State turns its attention forward to a home-and-home showdown against the No. 1 ranked Michigan Wolverines.
These two rivals already met earlier this season in a home-and-home series that saw both road teams walk away victorious. First, Michigan traveled to East Lansing and sent Spartans fans home stunned with a shutout win. The very next night, the teams headed southwest to Ann Arbor, where Michigan State returned the favor, silencing Wolverine fans on their own ice.
Now they meet again, sitting Nos. 1 and 2 in the nation — proof that elite college hockey runs straight through the great state of Michigan.
Michigan State has lived inside the top five all season, consistently proving excellence at the highest level. The Spartans boast a lethal offense loaded with NHL draft picks and top prospects, including Charlie Stramel, Porter Martone, Eric Nilson, Maxim Štrbák, and more. That firepower ranks seventh nationally with 95 goals in 26 games.
But while the offense grabs headlines, it’s another prospect who defines this team — Detroit Red Wings second-round pick Trey Augustine between the pipes.
The Spartans rank second nationally in goals allowed, surrendering just 49 goals in 26 games, trailing only Cornell (39 goals allowed in 21 games). Augustine has been the backbone all season and will be tested this weekend against a Michigan squad that currently leads the nation in scoring offense.
The full breakdown between these two heavyweights will come later in the week.
For now, we get ready.
Much like Coach Nightingale’s team, we do the work. We study the film. We break down the past. We get our heads right for the biggest battle — and the biggest article — of the season to date.
No. 1 Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 2 Michigan State Spartans
Friday, 7:00 PM ET — Ann Arbor
Saturday, 6:30 PM ET — East Lansing