Michigan State Remains No. 3 After First Weekend

College hockey is officially underway, with most teams playing their first or second weekend of games. However, despite the action getting started, not much has changed in the national rankings.

The early nonconference matchups for the top teams have looked more like preseason tune-ups than major tests, with the results doing little to shake up the standings.

Michigan State took care of business in its opening weekend, sweeping Northern Michigan in a two-game series while outscoring the Wildcats 11-3.

The same was true for the two teams ranked ahead of the Spartans.

Denver handled both of its games and remained No. 1 in the country with 33 first-place votes. Michigan followed suit for the second consecutive weekend, improving to 4-0-0 while holding on to the No. 2 spot with 14 first-place votes.

That leaves Michigan State at No. 3, the final team in the rankings to receive first-place votes, earning three.

Through the first two games, Michigan State's offense has looked every bit as dangerous as advertised. Anthony Romani leads the team with three goals and is tied for the team lead in points with four.

Freshman Jack Hextall is the only other Spartan with multiple goals, recording two while also totaling four points. The first-round selection is already making an impact and showing why he is one of nine first-round picks on this Michigan State roster.

Ryker Lee is the third and final Spartan tied for the team lead with four points. Lee has recorded one goal and three assists, with his three assists tied for the team high alongside Eric Nilson and freshman Chase Reid, the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

With contributions coming from both established players and newcomers, the Spartans have shown the offensive depth that makes them such an intriguing team early in the season.

In net, freshman Joshua Ravensbergen and backup Quentin Sigurdson each started one of the opening weekend's two games. Both goaltenders looked solid, but Ravensbergen stood out with a particularly dominant performance.

The Spartans are chasing their fourth consecutive Big Ten title, and their roster is loaded with high-end talent. With 30% of all first-round picks playing college hockey this season, Michigan State has a young but deep group capable of making another run at a championship.

Head coach Adam Nightingale has his team playing at a high level early, addressing some of the inconsistencies that plagued the Spartans last season. Special teams have been particularly impressive, with Michigan State converting on an outstanding 50% of its power-play opportunities.

The Spartans have also generated significant offense in the second period, another area in which they struggled at times last season.

There is still plenty of hockey left to play, and the competition will only get tougher as the season progresses. For now, though, Michigan State has taken care of business and maintained its place among the nation's elite.

The Spartans remain No. 3 in the country and have just one more tune-up game next weekend before the schedule begins to ramp up.