MSU Hockey Claim's #1 Seed For Second Straight Year!

The Big Ten NCAA Hockey Tournament opened with intensity as the No. 3-ranked Michigan State Spartans faced off against unranked Notre Dame on home ice. Just 11 seconds into the first period, MSU’s #9 M. Basgall fired the first shot on goal, only to be denied by an impressive glove save from ND’s #31 N. Kempt.

However, Kempt’s early heroics were short-lived. MSU’s #23 S. Vansaghi, assisted by #27 N. Andrews, found the back of the net to put the Spartans on the board. The remainder of the period remained heated, with tensions spilling over into two post-whistle altercations at the 4:08 and 0:22 marks.

The second period carried on the intensity, as Notre Dame’s #9 G. Silianoff wasted no time leveling the game 1-1 just 44 seconds in, assisted by #10 H. Strand and #25 C. Slaggert. But the momentum was short-lived. With over 15 minutes remaining in the period, MSU’s #13 T. Shoudy capitalized on an opportunity in front of the net, assisted by #9 M. Basgall and #16 V. Lukashevich. Minutes later, MSU struck again, as #23 S. Vansaghi buried another goal from close range, set up by #12 G. Jurecki. The Spartans entered the final frame with a commanding 3-1 lead.

Notre Dame found a spark in the third period with a power-play goal by #8 J. Janicke, assisted by #27 B. Biondi and #22 C. Knuble, cutting the deficit to one. However, MSU quickly extinguished that hope as #26 T. Kelly extended the lead with a goal assisted by #27 N. Andrews and #18 J. Larson. In the final moments, with Notre Dame’s goalie Kempt pulled for an extra attacker, MSU’s #13 T. Shoudy sealed the victory with an unassisted empty-net goal.

With a dominant 5-2 win, the Michigan State Spartans secured the No. 1 seed and a coveted bye week heading into the NCAA Hockey Tournament. This game also marked the end of Jeff Jackson’s 20th season as Notre Dame’s head coach, closing an era for the Fighting Irish.