Michigan State hockey sets program record for Big Ten wins

Michigan State hockey has set a single-season program record for Big Ten wins. It’s been a great season so far.

Michigan State hockey is having one of their best seasons in recent memory. This year arguably is their best season since they won their last national championship in 2007.

With six games still to play in the regular season, the Spartans have already set a program record for Big Ten wins in a single season.

Hard work and striving for improvement are keys to the culture of the Nightingale Era.

Not an end goal, just a benchmark. pic.twitter.com/V6xUQ1o1la

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) February 6, 2024

Most Big Ten wins in program history

With the Spartans win over Notre Dame this past weekend, that took MSU to 12-4-2 in Big Ten play this season. Those 12 are already the most single-season Big Ten wins in program history.

The Big Ten didn’t form a conference until the 2013-14 season, so Michigan State hockey has had years with more than 12 conference wins. But those seasons came in their previous conference, the CCHA.

The Spartans finished with 11 Big Ten wins twice in their history, in the 2014-15 and 2019-20 seasons. Last year, the Spartans over-achieved under first year head coach Adam Nightingale and finished with 10 wins.

Now, with six regular season games remaining, the Spartans have already set the program record. Michigan State’s remaining schedule is difficult, so I’m unsure how many more wins they’ll add. But they are No. 1 in the Big Ten for a reason, so I’m sure they’ll add plenty more wins still.

Big Ten standings

Before this weekend’s games, here is where the Big Ten standings currently sit.

1. Michigan State – 40 points
2. Wisconsin – 35 points
3. Minnesota – 29 points
4. Notre Dame – 27 points
5. Michigan – 25 points
6. Penn State – 17 points
7. Ohio State – 7 points

As you can see, it is down to a two-team race for the Big Ten title between Michigan State and Wisconsin. The Badgers have played two fewer games so far this season and in hockey you earn three points for a win. So Wisconsin will take a one-point lead if they win those extra two games. Even though this is the case, Michigan State still controls its own destiny.

The Spartans’ final series of the season is a trip to Madison to take on the Badgers on the road. The Big Ten title likely will come down to this final series, but the Spartans have to keep winning to have a chance.

Michigan State takes on in-state rival Michigan for a two game series this weekend. The first game is on Friday in Ann Arbor with the rematch is Saturday in Detroit. After this series, the Spartans host last-place Ohio State before the final series at Wisconsin.

The Badgers host Notre Dame this weekend and have a good chance to earn a lot of points, so the Spartans will have to perform well against Michigan to keep their lead.

Regardless of how the season finishes, Adam Nightingale has the program trending in the right direction. The Spartans have everything to play for still, and they likely aren’t going anywhere in the years to come.