Two weeks ago, Michigan State hockey began its quest for its first national championship since 2007. After a heartbreaking loss in the regional final last season against Michigan, the Spartans once again dominated the Big Ten.
The team entered the NCAA tournament as the No. 2 overall seed.
In the first round, the Spartans drew the Cornell Big Red. Going into this matchup, the Spartans had a 6-4-1 record against the Big Red, who won the ECAC tournament to gain their spot. Unfortunately, the Spartans did not have the legs to finish the job and fell 4-3 late to Cornell.
1. Puck is gold
This phrase is located prominently in the Spartan locker room. It is the mentality that the Spartans play with. What it means is an emphasis on controlling play and preventing the other team from possessing the puck. For the first two periods of the game, the Spartans put on a clinic using that mantra. So many plays were extended by guys adding just a little extra effort, and it led to the Spartans dominating through two. Shots going into the third period were 30-9 in favor of the Spartans, and it was for a reason.
This team has a bright future still because this is something that the coaching staff looks for. Some of the play extenders were underclassmen like Griffin Jurecki and Shane Vansaghi, who still have a lot of Michigan State hockey in them. This program has done a lot in the past few years to become dangerous, but it is the fact that everyone is making these plays that will keep Spartan hockey relevant for years to come.
2. Cornell didn’t say die
The Big Red were, by all accounts, left for dead by the mid-point of the season. Coach Mike Shafer mentioned that there were multiple games where they were running with only eight forwards. The team got hot at the right moment, though, and was able to pull off the upset. In his final season, Shafer mentioned that he is grateful for every moment that he has had coaching his team and their attitude. Despite everything being against them, they found a way against a great Spartan team. The Big Red found themselves down by one on three separate occasions but were always able to claw their way back. It is a testament to their team and coaching staff. Even when the Spartans had control of play, they found a way, and that is why they won.
3. Third period performance ended season
As mentioned before, the Spartans controlled this game through two periods. Even about five minutes into the third, the Spartans were controlling play. Unfortunately, things seemed to get lazy as the third went on. The Big Red increased their intensity, while it seemed as though the Spartans were playing like they had a three-goal lead. When that happens, teams will take those chances. Ohio State took advantage in the Big Ten Tournament Championship, but the Spartans were able to survive. You can only play like that for so long before it comes back to bite you.
The lackluster play in the third was highlighted by a late tripping penalty by Matt Basgall that put Cornell on the power play late. There is no good time to take a penalty, but that was a very unfortunate spot with less than two minutes remaining.
Obviously Cornell took advantage and got the game winner with less than 10 seconds remaining.
4. Augustine’s future in East Lansing
Probably the biggest question mark following this game was around goaltender Trey Augustine. The former second-round pick by the Detroit Red Wings has been one of, if not the, best goalies in college hockey since last season. Over his time with Michigan State hockey, Augustine is 57-20-9. He was one of the biggest dominoes that helped Adam Nightingale rebuild this team so quickly.
With success at this level, though, came questions.
The biggest one being, was this Augustine’s last game as a Spartan? Nightingale responded to that question before the game and said it was about a 50/50 shot that Augustine returns. Following the game, Nightingale responded by saying, “I know that Trey has great people around him and that he will make a good decision.” That answer, along with the goalie pipeline with the Detroit Red Wings, seemed to suggest that there could be a change in net once the fall rolls around. Either way, Augustine has cemented himself as one of the greatest Spartan goalies of all time.
And now he’s back for a third title push in 2025-26.
Overall thoughts
It was an extremely bitter pill to swallow when a season ends the way that it did in the NCAA Tournament. This team has raised the expectations for what Michigan State hockey should be. That is what two NCAA Tournament appearances, back-to-back Duel in the D Championships, a GLI championship, and back-to-back tournament and regular season championships in the Big Ten will do. Nightingale made it clear that this team will be back and will continue to improve. This program is going to continue to grow and raise the bar. While it doesn’t end in favor of the Spartans in Toledo, the future remains bright for this program.
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