Top-ranked Michigan State battles Ohio State for crucial final home games. Will Spartans secure Big Ten title and Frozen Four dreams?
WHO: No. 1 Michigan State Spartans (24-6, 15-5) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (11-18-1, 7-13)
WHERE: Munn Ice Arena, East Lansing, MI
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 27, 8:30 PM EST / Saturday, Feb. 28, 8 PM EST
WATCH: Friday & Saturday – Big Ten Network
“Everything in life is temporary. So if things are going good, enjoy it because it won't last forever. And if things are going bad, don't worry. It can't last forever either.”
Both the Spartans and Buckeyes can appreciate that quote.
For Michigan State, the journey has been fun — a season-long war full of battles that has seen the Spartans come out victorious in many of them. Now, that journey may be slowly nearing its end just as it’s time to ramp things up for the playoffs.
The Spartans have just four games remaining. Each one carries more weight than the last. With two games in hand over second-place Michigan, Michigan State is in complete control of its own destiny, moving toward a potential third straight Big Ten title.
But expectations stretch far beyond just a conference championship. The Spartans are chasing their first Frozen Four championship since 2007.
This series holds extra importance for Michigan State, as it will be the final series at Munn Ice Arena this season. The Spartans will honor their seniors Saturday in a postgame ceremony, and emotions will undoubtedly run high for the final showdowns in East Lansing.
For the Buckeyes, it’s been a season to forget — but luckily, it won’t last forever. Ohio State has been a sub-.500 team all year. While they’ve picked up a few crucial wins here and there, most of the season has consisted of hard-fought games that ended just short.
The Buckeyes enter East Lansing following a sweep at the hands of Penn State. They were outscored 16-8 in the series, dropping game one 11-4 and falling in overtime in game two, 5-4. Like Michigan State, Ohio State has four games remaining. And although they sit lower in the standings, that doesn’t mean they won’t have plenty of fight left. They’re still battling for seeding in the Big Ten Tournament.
One positive for Ohio State: one of its seven conference wins came against Michigan State in early January. Just after a few Spartans returned from World Juniors, they went right back to work in Columbus. Michigan State dominated game one, 6-2, but fell flat in game two. Whether it was exhaustion or simply the wrong place at the wrong time, the Buckeyes shut down the prolific Spartan offense and stole a 2-1 victory.
So make no mistake — these games won’t come easy for Michigan State, regardless of Ohio State’s struggles this season.
Big Ten Standings Snapshot
The Buckeyes (20 B1G games played) sit fifth in the Big Ten with 23 points, just one point ahead of Minnesota (20 GP, 22 points).
Michigan (22 GP) leads the conference with 46 points, followed closely by Michigan State (45 points, 20 GP), Penn State (38 points, 20 GP), and Wisconsin (33 points, 22 GP). Notre Dame sits seventh (20 GP, 9 points).
The regular season champion earns a bye in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs, while seeds 2-4 host seeds 5-7.
So no, the Buckeyes aren’t giving up hope yet. They’ll throw everything they have at Trey Augustine and the Spartans in hopes of stealing another win.
By the Numbers
Michigan State ranks:
- 1st nationally in scoring defense (1.97 goals allowed per game)
- 5th in scoring offense (3.83 goals per game)
- 3rd in scoring margin (+1.87)
- 9th in power play (.270)
- Penalty kill at 80.9%
- 17.70 penalty minutes per game (2nd in the NCAA)
Individually:
- Porter Martone — 3rd nationally in points per game (1.46) and 2nd in goals per game (.71)
- Charlie Stramel — 9th in points per game (1.33) and 10th in goals per game (.63)
- Daniel Russell — 8th nationally in assists per game (.90)
- Trey Augustine — 4th in save percentage (.932) and 5th in goals-against average (1.96)
Historically, Ohio State trails the all-time series 59-103-13. In East Lansing, the Spartans lead 55-23-7.
Predictions
Both teams are going to come ready to play.
For the Spartans, it’s about honoring the fans and the seniors skating in their final games at Munn Ice Arena. For the Buckeyes, it’s about dignity — and seeding.
We know Ohio State is capable of beating Michigan State. We saw it earlier this year. But this is senior weekend. These are the final home games of the regular season. And as much as Ohio State would love to play spoiler, I don’t see it happening in front of a rocking Munn Ice Arena crowd.
Friday Michigan State – 5 Ohio State – 2
Saturday Michigan State – 3 Ohio State – 0