Michigan State hockey wins first of two games over No. 1 Wisconsin: Analysis and reaction

Lansing State Journal sports reporter Nathaniel Bott breaks down No. 11 Michigan State hockey's 4-2 win over No. 1 Wisconsin on Friday night.

What happened

Michigan State welcomed top-ranked Wisconsin to Munn Ice Arena Friday night for the first of a two-game series that will wrap up MSU's four-game homestand. The Spartans are coming off earning four points last weekend with a tie and shootout loss and a 5-3 win over No. 18 Penn State.

The Spartans took command Friday after breaking open a 1-1 game late in the second period with a pair of goals. Leading by two heading into the final frame, MSU held off a late rally from the Badgers to earn a 4-2 win that, for the time being, vaulted the Spartans into sole possession of first place in the Big Ten.

Both teams played well in a mostly even first period, but it was MSU fifth-year senior Nicolas Muller who scored the only goal with just 44 seconds left in the frame. Muller jumped on a rebound that was punched into the high slot by graduate transfer Reed Lebster and rang a shot off the post and in past Wisconsin goaltender Kyle McClellan.

Wisconsin would find an equalizer midway through the second period, but MSU regained the lead by taking advantage of a power play opportunity. Sophomore forward Joey Larson scored his fifth goal of the season and first since Oct. 19 by firing a one-timer past McClellan.

Just over three minutes later, MSU gave itself a two-goal cushion after an impressive individual effort from Tanner Kelly gave the junior his third goal in the last four games.

Wisconsin cut it back to a one-goal deficit in the third, and earned a late power-play chance. But the Spartans killed off the penalty and after the Badgers pulled their goalie with more than two minutes remaining, senior forward Jeremy Davidson deposited a shot from center ice into the empty net for the final 4-2 margin.

McClellan finished with 38 saves for the Badgers, while freshman Trey Augustine stopped 32 Badger shots.

What it means

It's a big step in the right direction for the Spartans, who handed the hottest team in the country just its second loss. MSU was the aggressor for most of the first period and got rewarded late, then responded nicely with a dominating final 10 minutes of the middle frame.

Wisconsin, under first-year coach Mike Hastings, played a solid game Friday, but MSU's speed helped generate a number of dangerous opportunities and McClellan had to turn in a solid effort to keep the Badgers close most of the night. MSU will look back and see some remarkable saves and some missed opportunities in a game that could have easily been a six- or seven-goal affair.

It's a better Badger team in front of him, but McClellan doesn't look anything like he did while splitting time in the net last season, when he had a 3.57 goals-against average. Wisconsin was also missing leading goal scorer Cruz Lucius, who did not make the trip to East Lansing, which will hamper the Badgers' chances again Saturday.

MSU was aggressive and really attacking in its three power-play chances, converting on one of them with Larson's goal. The penalty kill was also impressive, and MSU had a few instances where it nearly added to its NCAA-leading four shorthanded goals. A repeat of special teams play from tonight could spell a sweep for the Spartans come Saturday.

MSU's fourth line of Tanner Kelly, sophomore Tiernan Shoudy and freshman Tommi Mannisto put together another solid performance, with Kelly netting the eventual game-winner. That line has produced points in the past four games, including two game-winning goals and has seemed to find its footing.

MSU freshman defenseman Maxim Strbak returned from a three-game absence and was slotted on the third defensive pairing with freshman Austin Oravetz. His minutes seemed on par with his average prior to missing time, so it looks like he has made a full recovery.

What they said

MSU coach Adam Nightingale, on the game overall: "It was a good game for our team. First off, the crowd was awesome and that really helped us throughout. I thought all four lines contributed and played the way we want to play. Obviously we faced a really good team, but it was good to see the group play a full 60 minutes and now the job is to get it done tomorrow."

Nightingale, on the second period: "I thought early in the second Wisconsin controlled it a little bit, but we got back to our game and played behind them and used our speed. There were moments there where I thought we were really good and our group is still learning that second period of hockey."

Muller, on how to come back tomorrow night focused: "We are getting ready for tomorrow and we want to get the sweep for sure. It feels really good to beat them, but I've been here four-plus years now and we've played some No. 1-(ranked) teams and we've never won. Now we want to go out and do it again tomorrow night."

Mannisto, on the fourth line and playing at Munn: "It's our job to bring energy to the team and I think we've done that super well, both last week and tonight. I didn't expect this much. In juniors and in Finland the most we had was a few hundred, so coming here, after the first game, I was like, 'This is so sick!'"

What's next

MSU and Wisconsin will meet again on Saturday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Munn Ice Arena.

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

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU hockey takes down No. 1 Wisconsin: Analysis and reaction