Michigan State hockey dominates Michigan in Ann Arbor

For a second straight time, Michigan State hockey secured a win in Ann Arbor but this time in dominant fashion.

The historic season for Michigan State hockey continues as the Spartans defeated Michigan in Ann Arbor Friday night, 5-1. The Wolverines took a 1-0 lead midway through the second period, but it was all MSU after that.

Michigan State tied the game 1-1 just 25 seconds after the Wolverines’ opening goal. The game stayed tied heading into the third period, but MSU came out on fire after the intermission. They scored two early goals to take a 3-1 lead and coasted to victory from there. The Spartans added two empty net goals late in the game to defeat Michigan 5-1.

Job to finish tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/F5H4CHt1n6

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) February 10, 2024

This was no ordinary win for MSU, as they accomplished two historic feats during this game. First of all, this is the first time since 2017 that MSU has won back-to-back games in Ann Arbor. This also is the first 19-win season in program history since 2012. Considering the Spartans still have five more regular season games, that is an amazing accomplishment.

Big Ten race is heating up

The Spartans and Wisconsin are in a two-team race at the top of the Big Ten standings. MSU had a five-point lead on the Badgers heading into Friday night, and that lead remained the same as Wisconsin had a come-from-behind win over Notre Dame.

Wisconsin has two more regular season games left than MSU, so they can pass the Spartans in the standings if they win both games. But the Spartans’ final regular-season series is at Wisconsin, so the Big Ten race will likely come down to the final weekend.

Michigan State and Michigan play again on Saturday in Detroit. Wisconsin likely will beat Notre Dame again on Saturday, so the Spartans also need to win again.

MSU has next weekend off before it hosts Ohio State in its final regular season home series the following week. Ohio State is in last place in the Big Ten, so that will be a good opportunity to earn two wins.

Buckle up Spartan fans, because we have a team in the thick of a wild finish for the Big Ten championship.