Big third period lift MSU hockey over Michigan: Analysis and reaction

ANN ARBOR – Lansing State Journal sports reporter Nathaniel Bott breaks down No. 9 Michigan State hockey's 5-1 victory against No. 11 Michigan at Yost Ice Arena on Friday night

What happened

MSU skated onto the ice at Yost looking to win back-to-back road games at UM and further bolster its status on top of the Big Ten. And in an extremely disciplined game, MSU broke through in the third period, scoring four in the final frame to turn a tightly contested 1-1 tie into an emphatic 5-1 win.

UM forward Gavin Brindley opened the scoring in the second period, making a move past an MSU defenseman before ripping a snapshot past MSU goaltender Trey Augustine. But, just 25 seconds later, MSU forward Tanner Kelly got the puck in UM's zone, skated right across the face of goal untouched and deposited a backhand shot into the net to make it level.

In the third, MSU showcased its endurance with a ton of motor and jump to start the period. MSU's first line put together a workhorse shift, keeping the puck in UM's zone for over a minute before sophomore forward Isaac Howard fed his linemate Daniel Russel in front, where he roofed a shot over UM goaltender Jake Barczewski's shoulder to take a 2-1 lead.

It didn't take too long for MSU to find insurance, and MSU forward Karsen Dorwart gained the zone and dumped the puck back to Howard. Patiently, Howard waited for freshman defenseman Maxim Strbak to make his rush toward the net. Howard dished it to him, and Strbak put a shot on goal that trickled through Barczewski's pads to give MSU a 3-1 lead.

Augustine stood tall on several UM responses in the third, notably stopping a shorthanded breakaway from Michigan forward Dylan Duke and two other grade-A chances from Brindley and forward Rutger McGroarty. Augustine finished with 29 saves, including all eight in the final frame.

Forwards Red Savage and Jeremy Davidson would pot empty-net goals for the Spartans in the final three minutes to make it a 5-1 final.

What it means

Friday's win marks the first time since 2017 that the Spartans won both regular season games in Ann Arbor, and it's the first season since 2012 that MSU reached at least 19 wins. Those are two defining marks this team has set to capture how this season is the first step to truly turning the program around.

Much like the Minnesota series two weeks ago, this game had a playoff feel for the first 40 minutes. There wasn't a ton of free ice, but both sides had some chances – each converting once while both goaltenders looked relatively comfortable.

MSU's third period was suffocating at the start, as the first line of Howard, Russell, and Dorwart were particularly relentless on the forecheck and instigated the first two goals of the period. MSU called on Augustine to make a few big-time stops in crucial moments, but the young netminder was up to the task.

MSU will have a chance on Saturday to win three out of four games over Michigan in the regular season – something that hasn't happened since the 2009-2010 season.

What they said

MSU coach Adam Nightingale, on the game overall: "I thought there were a lot of good stretches, (UM) is a really good team and it was tight in the first period. I liked our response, for (Kelly) to make the play he did and then in the third, I thought we did a lot of good things and played to our identity. They had some good looks and (Augustine) played well and we should have another great game tomorrow."

Nightingale, on strides the program has made: "We're excited about it, and we aren't trying to get ahead of ourselves and we still have a lot of work to do. What I'm most excited about is our alumni, we have a proud alumni group and I want to make sure they walk into a rink and they're proud to be a Spartan. We're super thankful for them and we're heading in the right direction and it's exciting but we have to focus on one game at a time."

Nightingale, on Howard's good stretch of play: "We're super thankful we got him, and I've said it multiple times that I would take Ike on my team any day of the week. He's still growing his game and he's a young hockey player, but you can't argue with his skill, his talent, and his drive. He's a committed kid who wants to be coached and I love that about (Howard). He's been great for our team and excited about the direction of his game."

Howard, on the fan support on the road: "I love it, and you look up as the game winds down and see the Munnsters still in the stands and the Children of Yost kinda clearing out, I guess they were a little embarrassed. It's good to see our fans show up and we love the support."

Russell, on the endurance of the team: "I think the full 60 minutes we were playing our way and it really showed in the third period. I think playing 5-on-5 leans in our favor and we have four really good lines and when we are just rolling them out it helps us a lot."

What's next

MSU and UM will face each other for the final time of the regular season tomorrow in Detroit at Little Caesars Arena. Puck drop for the annual "Duel in the D" is scheduled for 8 pm and will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @Nathaniel_Bott

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Big third period lift MSU hockey over Michigan: Analysis and reaction