Michigan State looks to make more history in Big Ten tournament final against Michigan
After capturing the program's first Big Ten regular-season title earlier this month, the No. 5 Michigan State hockey team has a chance to make more history on Saturday night.
The Spartans can win their first Big Ten tournament championship with a win over rival Michigan at Munn Arena.
MSU (23-9-3) earned its spot in the final by defeating Ohio State, 2-1, in last weekend's semifinal in East Lansing.
"(Ohio State) had a heck of a run and some momentum coming into our building, but we were able to get the job done and earn an opportunity to play another home game," MSU coach Adam Nightingale said. "We look forward to having Michigan come here. It'll be a great environment, with a special rivalry, and we'll be ready for the weekend."
It'll be the fifth time the two teams have met this season, with MSU having won three of the first four. The Wolverines manhandled the Spartans, 7-1, in the only matchup between the two at Munn Ice Arena, while MSU won twice at Yost Ice Arena and also in the "Duel in the D" at Little Caesars Arena.
"I think we brought that first game up to a level that it's not supposed to be," MSU defenseman Matt Basgall said. "It's supposed to be a rivalry, but we overplayed it in our heads. It was jittery and we weren't focused on our game. But for this year, it's great to be on the right side of it. But it's a whole new season here heading into the playoffs."
No. 10th-ranked Wolverines (21-13-3) reached the final with an impressive 2-1 win last weekend at No. 8 Minnesota in the semifinal.
Saturday's matchup pits the top two scoring offenses in the Big Ten against each other, as well as the conference's two best teams, statistically, on the power play. And there could be plenty of power play opportunities, as the Spartans and Wolverines are the two most penalized teams in the Big Ten.
But penalty-killing is where MSU has had a distinct edge, ranking third in the Big Ten, while Michigan ranks last in the league and 62nd out of 64 teams in the nation.
Michigan scored four power-play goals in the teams' only matchup at Munn this season, when MSU totaled a season-high 99 penalty minutes, including six misconducts — one being a game misconduct to junior forward Tanner Kelly.
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MSU will again have to be on high alert defending Big Ten Player of the Year Gavin Brindley, who leads Michigan with 51 points (24 goals, 27 assists), as well as All-Big Ten First Team members in forward Rutger McGroarty (16 goals, 35 assists) and defenseman Seamus Casey (seven goals, 37 assists).
"It's an exciting week. I think everyone around here is pumped up, and playing (Michigan) adds a little something extra to it," MSU sophomore forward Karsen Dorwart said. "We're super positive and want to get to the weekend already. They are a good team and have proved that lately so it'll be a good test for us."
Both teams are safely in the NCAA tournament field, which will be announced on Sunday night. MSU sits fifth in the Pairwise rankings, while the Wolverines are 10th. With a win, Spartans could potentially find their way to the No. 1 seed line with some help from other results across the country.
Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. on Saturday and the game will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @Nathaniel_Bott
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU vs. UM hockey in Big Ten final on Saturday; Spartans eye history
