MSU hockey loses to Michigan 5-2 in NCAA Championship regional final, season ends

Last shot.

The Michigan State University men's hockey team has a chance to play its in-state rival, the University of Michigan Wolverines, for the sixth time in one season in the third round of the NCAA Championships in St. Paul, Minn.

However, after a very strong start and a tough play by the Spartans in the first period, the Wolverines took over in the third period and Michigan State suffered a heartbreaking 5-2 loss, ending their season.

In these high-stakes games, emotions quickly ran high in the heated rivalry as both teams huddled on the ice trying to stop each other's goals.

It wasn't clear which team had the better advantage at the start, but the Spartans were the first team to get the man advantage after a hook call was made to the Wolverines. However, opponents appeared to be clinging to MSU's top through their overall man advantage. But the Wolverines' pressure didn't stop, as sophomore defenseman Matt Basgal shot the puck toward the net, which was tipped in by freshman forward Gavin O'Connell to give Michigan State an early lead. He led with 0.

With emotions running high, both teams ended up placing a troll in each box, but soon senior defenseman Nash Nienhaus went to the box for an elbow and the Spartans We had to play 4-on-3 hockey for 75 seconds. He also decides on a 5-on-4 penalty kill. The Spartans fought tooth and nail to nullify both penalties, with help from freshman netminder Trey Augustin's incredible saves.

As the Spartans tried to stop the Wolverines from lighting the lamp, MSU was able to get between passes and beat the Wolverines' fast breaks.

The Spartans took another penalty with 22 seconds left in the first period, giving the Wolverines' top-ranked power play a chance to shine and take advantage of the man advantage until a minute and a half into the game. Second period. But the Wolverines couldn't keep the puck in front of them long enough to get Augustin a shot.

But just five minutes into the second period, the Wolverines tied the score at 1-1 with a shot into the back of the net. But MSU knew what needed to happen to regain the lead.

Michigan State was able to get a quick penalty kill right after the goal after a boarding call was made on freshman defenseman Maxim Strbach, but the green-and-white special teams continued to shine.

And right after the penalty kill, a holding call was made against the Wolverines, giving MSU the man advantage. Despite having a chance to shine, the Spartans were unable to capitalize.

The Spartans ended the second period the same way as the first after a roughing penalty was called on freshman defenseman Artyom Levshunov. The Wolverines' power play failed to capitalize in the first minute, and they attempted to take the lead with another minute left at the beginning of the final period. However, the Spartans were able to get a stop and prevent the Wolverines from scoring. The score was still 1-1.

The Wolverines took a 2-1 lead with just 13 minutes left in the game and carried on with confidence, holding onto a lead that the Spartans were about to take back.

Midway through the final period, the Spartans had another crack at the power play after a boarding call was made on the Wolverines. The hungry Spartans took advantage of the opportunity and were able to tie the game on a goal from sophomore forward Joey Larson, which was assisted by graduate forward Nicholas Muller.

Moments later, Michigan broke the tie with a quick goal and seconds later gave the Spartans a two-point lead with five minutes left in the game. This gave the Wolverines a 4-2 lead.

With four minutes left in the final period, the Spartans quickly pulled up their goaltender in an attempt to tie the game, but despite trying to pull Augustin as an extra attacker, Michigan State ultimately struggled I killed one man with a penalty. The Wolverines quickly scored, making the score 5-2. Michigan State lost to the Wolverines 5-2.

With the loss to the Wolverines, Michigan State's tournament run ends at the Maryland Heights Regional Final. The Spartans look forward to next season in hopes of regrouping and strengthening this season.