Michigan State hockey routs Penn State to begin second half strong

Michigan State hockey began the second half of the season on a high note with a rout of No. 20 Penn State on the road.

The eighth-ranked Michigan State hockey team (13-4-3) traveled to Happy Valley to take on No. 20 Penn State (10-7-3) on Friday night. The Spartans were looking to start the second half of conference play strong coming off an exhibition win against the USNTDP U-18 team at Munn. This game also featured the return of our four IIHF World Junior Championship players — the biggest additions being gold medal winners Trey Augustine and Isaac Howard.

Michigan State came away with a 5-0 win over the Nittany Lions.

Scoring recap

• First period

The game started as a back-and-forth affair before junior forward Tanner Kelly redirected a shot by defenseman Nash Nienhuis. The redirect occurred right in front of the net with Kelly with two Nittany Lion players surrounding him. Kelly used his stick to change the angle while the puck was in mid-air to break the ice. This was Kelly’s ninth of the campaign that made it 1-0.

Later in the period, while on the penalty kill, Reed Lebster added a shorthanded goal from a Penn State turnover. He poked the puck away and then skated up the right side with Nicolas Muller coming up the left. Lebster then faked the pass to Muller and then ripped a wrister above the goalie’s shoulder. This put the Spartans up 2-0 at the end of the first and scored his fourth of the season.

• Second period

The scoring in the second got kicked off four minutes in. What started as a puck battle in the corner quickly turned into a 3-0 lead when Gavin O’Connell ripped off a wrister that the goalie never saw. Two Nittany Lions provided an unintentional screen to help the freshman put it away.

Not to be outdone, Joey Larson scored his 12th goal of the season with six minutes remaining in the second. This goal came off of a rebounded shot by Detroit Red Wings draft pick Red Savage. The shot rebounded off the goalie’s pad and went to Joey’s stick and it was all over from there as he put it top shelf to extend the lead to 4-0.

• Third period

One goal was not enough for Joey Larson as he decided to make it a baker’s dozen for his 13th of the season. The Spartans were on a powerplay that started with an exchange of passes before Müller sent the puck across to Larson and he shot a missile past the goalie. This put the Spartans up 5-0 and was the final dagger with about two minutes remaining in the third.

Conclusion

Spartan fans could not have hoped for more out of their team in this game. Not only was it a win against a ranked opponent, but it was a convincing one that had Penn State frustrated. A big reason for that frustration was the playing of Spartan goalie and Detroit Red Wings draft pick Trey Augustine. He pitched his second shutout of the season in his first game back for the green and white. Augustine blocked over 30 shots with a handful of high-quality saves. That gold medal seems to be giving Augustine an extra boost that the Spartans will need in the second half.

Also, it needs to be said that the O’Connell, Savage, and Larson line is one of the best lines in the conference right now. This line accounted for four points with two goals and two assists. It seems like they are only going to elevate their play going into this backstretch of the schedule.

The Spartans will be looking to add another win as the Spartans finish their season series with the Nittany Lions on Saturday. Puck drop is at 4:30 p.m. and the game will be airing on BTN.