Lansing State Journal sportswriter Nathaniel Votto analyzes No. 4 Michigan State's 2-1 victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.
what happened
After earning a bye in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament, the fourth-ranked Spartans returned to action Saturday in front of a packed Mann Ice Arena that had a playoff atmosphere from the get-go.
And behind that crowd, MSU was able to withstand a second-half rush of chances from the Buckeyes and advance to next weekend's Big Ten Championship Game with a 2-1 victory.
“(Player development coach) Brad Fast has been here the longest and he flatly said Mann's voice was the loudest he'd ever heard him,” MSU coach Adam Nightingale said. “That's been the case all year, and we've had great support.”
MSU took the lead just over a minute into the second period when sophomore forward Carsen Dorwart took a shot that was deflected by sophomore forward Daniel Russell's skate and OSU goaltender Logan Turnes. It was played by the player.
MSU appeared to take a 2-0 lead minutes later on a goal by senior forward Jeremy Davidson, but the goal was reviewed and waved off by an MSU skater in the crease.
Ohio State put pressure on to start the third period, with MSU goaltender Trey Augustin hitting three shots and freshman forward Max Montez scoring on a wraparound shot just over two minutes into the final frame. I scored a goal.
MSU responded quickly 13 seconds later when senior defenseman Nash Nienhaus' slot shot beat Turness and restored the Spartans' advantage. Ohio State appeared to tie the game again by scoring a few minutes later, but MSU's appeal for offsides was successful.
“This is a crucial moment. Every game here is win or go home,” Nightingale said. “I think we learned how to win in different ways: high-scoring games, low-scoring games, maintaining a lead. Those are all valuable things that we have in our back pockets. It speaks to our leadership and our composure. “Good teams are going to push. If you want to win games, you have to be able to withstand some punches.”
its meaning
Saturday's tilt was a physical affair from the opening whistle, with both teams trading heavy blows in a closely contested first period, with MSU hitting two posts and an empty-netting chance off Turnes' stick. was stolen by.
It was the program's first home playoff win since 2008. This is just another step in the right direction for a program that is growing faster than anyone else in college hockey.
MSU's breakthrough in the second period was encouraging given the number of quality chances it had in the first 20 minutes. Ohio State's response in the third period should have been expected from a team whose season would end if it didn't win, but MSU appeared to be caught off guard.
The Spartans quickly fixed that problem after Ohio State tied it, and played safe and smart from there to prevent any lofty looks from the Buckeyes.
Both goaltenders had outstanding performances, with Augustin making 37 saves and Turnes making 36 stops. Both sides thwarted numerous departures, but MSU will look to resolve this issue before next weekend's tournament finals.
what they said was
About Nightingale, the game as a whole: “Hats off to Ohio State. They're a really good hockey team, and for them to push it the way they did at the end of the season speaks to their environment and the work of the coaching staff over there. With a tough check. ”Hockey game. Trey made some big saves, but this group responded well. It would have been easy for such a young group to melt down after the score, but Nash took the lead and we were able to hang on. ”
Augustin on goaltending battle with Turnes: “It felt like a goalie game. In a game like that, you do everything you can to not get behind the next guy. They both played really well tonight and the props are his. Became.”
Ohio State coach Steve Roerich said of Mann's atmosphere: “Credit to them. The crowd was great and it's fun to be in that atmosphere. Being in the Big Ten, the best league in the country, in a playoff environment like that was fun for our players. .You really can do it.'' Listen at the end. ”
what's next
MSU will host Michigan, which defeated Minnesota 2-1 in the other semifinal, in the Big Ten Tournament championship game next Saturday at 8 p.m.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @Nathaniel_Bott.
