Michigan State hockey opens Canisius series with 6-3 win: Analysis and reaction

Lansing State Journal sports reporter Nathaniel Bott breaks down No. 8 Michigan State hockey's 6-3 win over Canisius at Munn Ice Arena on Thursday night.

What happened

MSU returned home after a road series split with Air Force and jumped ahead early. The Spartans took a commanding 4-0 lead early in the second period and, despite a shaky final frame, posted a 6-3 series-opening win over the Golden Griffins.

Sophomore forward Daniel Russell opened the scoring on the first power play chance of the game, gloving a puck out of mid-air, gathering it and shooting it past Canisius goaltender David Fessenden in the first four minutes of the game.

Sophomore forward Joey Larson, who had a hat trick in MSU's win over Air Force, stayed hot. His third line with junior forward Red Savage and freshman Gavin O'Connell created a turnover with an aggressive forecheck. Larson swiped the puck from a Canisius defenseman before beating Fessenden with a backhander.

Russell kept the Spartans' momentum going in the second period, scoring his second of the night just over a minute in. The lead extended to 4-0 less than four minutes later when freshman defenseman Maxim Strbak got some puck luck with a shot that deflected off a Canisius defenseman's skate and through the legs of Fessenden. The goal sparked a goalie change for the Golden Griffins.

Canisius got on the board with a power play goal by Max Kouznetsov at 7:07 of the period.

But the Spartans quickly regained their four-goal cushion when Russell completed his hat trick by redirecting a pass from sophomore defenseman Matt Basgall over the shoulder of Canisius backup goaltender Ethan Robertson.

MSU was out of sorts in the third period with Canisius pressuring as the Golden Griffins got two goals from senior forward Randy Hernandez to cut the lead to 5-3, making the Munn crowd uneasy. But, with just over two minutes left and the Canisius goalie off for an extra skater, freshman defenseman Artyom Levshunov sent a puck the full length of the ice and into the empty net, sealing the 6-3 win.

Freshman goaltender Trey Augustine finished with a career-high 42 saves, while both Basgall and sophomore forward Isaac Howard had two assists apiece.

What it means

To put the talent gap in perspective, Canisius included two players of the portal who played at MSU last season – forward Kyle Haskins and defenseman Powell Connor. Neither saw much playing time for the Spartans, Haskins centers the top forward line and Connor is on the top defensive pairing for the Golden Griffins.

The 5-1 score after two periods was indicative of the difference in skill level, as MSU played a good first period and then excelled in the middle frame, outside of allowing power-play goal.

MSU's third period, however, was a cause for some concern, especially considering one of the two goals scored by Hernandez came directly off a defensive zone turnover. MSU has had some issues early with turnovers, but the final frame as a whole felt like the Spartans really took their foot off the gas.

Growing pains were expected, but with the expectations this team has and a trip to No. 3 Boston College looming next weekend before Big Ten play starts, it's something the Spartans will have to clean up.

Last season, MSU was often the better team in the third period with its conditioning and leadership taking charge. This roster will continue to adjust, but teams in the Big Ten will capitalize off mistakes at a much higher rate.

What they said

MSU coach Adam Nightingale, on the game overall: "It's good to be back playing at home and I thought the crowd was great. A lot of credit to Canisius, I thought they came out and had a good first period, and I think we played our best hockey in the second period to build a lead. Then, I think we got away from our game. That's the reality of it with a young team and it's our job as coaches to help them with that. You hope it doesn't cost you, and we have to do a better job at managing the game. What I like is that when I went in the room the guys knew it, but it's one thing to go out and take action and that's what we plan to do tomorrow."

Nightingale, on MSU's third line: "It's hard until you play a game, but when you have a really smart player in the middle of the rink like (Savage), the wings play well. Gavin O'Connell has a great stick and (Larson) can really finish. I think Larson had a few chances that he could've finished tonight, but I know down the line he'll convert those. It's been a really good line for us."

Russell, on his hat trick and the team's offensive performance early on: "It's an awesome feeling, especially in a home setting with the crowd and everything. I haven't had one in a long time so that feels really good. I think we have four really solid lines that can produce and score goals and we've been good working the offensive zone and keeping our feet moving."

What's next

MSU and Canisius will face off again Friday night at Munn as the Spartans look for their second series sweep of the season. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @Nathaniel_Bott

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU hockey opens Canisius series with 6-3 win: Analysis and reaction