Michigan State did exactly what they needed to do this weekend and that was to sweep the Fighting Irish and stay on pace to three peat as conference champs. MSU took all 6 points this weekend and at the time of writing this piece, Wisconsin took the first three points from Michigan in their weekend series to help the Spartans out.
Before we get into the game play on Thursday, we have to talk about the 1986 throwback jerseys that were worn for 80’s night. They were a thing of beauty and if I can get my hands on one I will be adding that to my jersey closet. The green helmets and gloves added for a nice look. The game itself didn’t look like a typical Spartan hockey game. MSU was playing sloppy and at times just got lucky bounces that helped them out. Notre Dame played a solid game and made Augustine work as he had a season high of 37 saves.
The Spartans started quick with a nice slap by Strbak but ND responded two minutes later to tie it up. That’s where it stayed after one. The second period was all power play goals as Stramel connected early in the second and again, two minutes later, Cole Knuble scored a power play goal to even the score at two. This shot was so hard that it hit the back of the net and popped right back out and wasn’t even called a goal. They had to go to replay to see it even hit the net. Gavin O’Connell slapped one home late in the second period with another power play goal. Martone just uses strength and speed mixed with determination to put home the empty netter to seal the Spartan victory at 4-2.
ND had a lot of shots but they weren’t all great looks. Considering the weird puck bounces, the goalie collisions, and quick whistles (O’Connell had a goal taken away that would have likely stuck if not for the early whistle) MSU got the three points and the better team got it done.
Friday night’s game was the game of penalties. The NCAA doesn’t specifically keep track of most penalty minutes in a game as they keep stats more specifically on the individual. There have been NCAA games with 100 plus penalty minutes. After a multitude of very early penalties it felt like this game was on pace to match. This one ended with 63 combined. Refs seemed to be quick with the whistle and a few that went against MSU seemed questionable. The biggest penalty was the game misconduct that was given to Lindstrom. It was a challenged penalty and wiped out a goal by Nilson. This was Lindstrom’s second of the year and a third will force him to sit a game. Considering the amount of kills the Spartans and looking the final score of 8-2, you knew something special happened. The big shift in this game came during the 5 minute misconduct and a tripping penalty that was just unlucky. MSU killed a 5 on 3 and nearly 7 minutes with Augustine being the best penalty killer on the ice. On top of the kill the Spartans get a shorty from Männistö on a beautiful slap shot. That all but sucked the life out of the Irish as MSU got another goal from the hot handed Owen West and headed into the third up 5-2.
Period three was all MSU as ND only managed to get 4 shots on goal. MSU scored three goals within 2:30 late in the third to get to 8. Martone started it off and got the hat trick after scoring one in each period and putting him up to 20 goals on the season and a 5 point weekend. Notre Dame hopes to never see Martone again as he has just destroyed the Irish this season. Martone now also sits on top of the conference in goals and the point leader is also within reach for a few Spartans, including Martone. Griffin Jurecki hit a slap shot in and within 20 seconds Ryker Lee got his second of the night. The move Lee made in front of the net is exactly why he’s nicknamed The Wizard. There could have been a whistle on the hit put on Lee that sent his head into the goal post but it felt like the refs really missed and unsportsmanlike there as they seemed to be calling it at ease all night long.
This weekend was crucial. It showed how goof this freshman class is and how much they’ve improved throughout the season. The top line was able to stay on fire and Augustine showed during that 7 plus minute kill why he is one of the best. Getting the help from Wisconsin helps out MSU a bunch as the most points Michigan can get now if they win out is 52 where the Spartans can hit 57 if they win out. Ohio State comes to Munn next Friday and Saturday for the last regular season games at Munn and Senior night on Saturday. That will be a special night to hear the crowd for Stramel, Shoudy, Basgall and Russell. After getting rid of their sea legs on Thursday they stepped back into form and look to be playing the kind of hockey you need to play this late in the season.