MSU Hockey Beats Ohio State in Big Ten Tournament Semifinals with Support from Mann Ice Arena Crowd

With fans pouring in and chants of “Go Green, Go White” blaring throughout Mann Ice Arena before puck drop began, the Spartans were ready to take the ice. After 60 minutes of hard-fought play, the Spartans played tough defense, broke up Ohio State's passes, connected passes and dominated for the most part, coming away with a hot 2-1 victory. game.

When senior defenseman and captain Nash Nienhaus received a text message from a longtime National Hockey League (NHL) player and family friend asking his team to come out to the game, The excitement in front increased rapidly. Do what it takes to win big. The message came from Mark Messier, a longtime NHL player who has played in 1,756 games and has over 1,800 career points. point.

“(Mesier) sent me a message. I mean, obviously he's one of the greatest players ever, and he's also a great leader,” Nienhaus said. He wanted to send it to his team as well.It's great to see that and great to get his stuff. support. “

What was the message of encouragement? To tell?

“In the first part, it was written on the wall, 'Conquer,' and he just applied that to us, and he was thinking about some big games that he played, and it was just “We thought this game was something bigger than just the game.'' “This game is because of the amount of effort we put in and the people who helped us get here,'' Nienhaus said. said. You have to kind of sit back and appreciate that and use that as an extra edge. energy. “

That sense of team spirit was unlike anything the Spartans had ever heard before a sold-out crowd at Mann Ice Arena, and for the players and alumni coaches like head coach Adam Nightingale and manager It lasted only when he delivered ice to the crowd. Player Development Brad Fast — MSU Hockey Captain for the 2000-2001 season and led the team to a Frozen Four appearance. Another goal the team had in mind was to gain the home crowd's respect for its environment. bring up.

“I give them credit because I think they've earned a certain amount of respect here,” Nightingale said. “One of our goals two years ago was to try to earn (respect) and not have people come and watch (you) just because you're a Michigan State hockey player. You have to play hard, we're not perfect, but you have to play team hockey. That's what our fans want us to do. I think it's a matter of respect for our players. If you come to watch us play, we're going to play like a team, and our fans. Win or lose, we'll come together we. “

Fast, a longtime MSU player and coach, said the noise level at this game was “the loudest” he had ever heard at Mann.To Nightingale, it is because of your support that the team was able to achieve this season.

For Nienhaus, the captain of the program's record-breaking team, the feeling of his first career playoff game at Mann was indescribable. Even better, he scored the game-winning goal, sealing MSU's victory over Ohio. state.

“It's a great atmosphere,” Nienhuis said. “We talked about it. It was probably the craziest thing ever. And Coach Nightingale also said he's been here for a crazy few years with Fast. It really helped us. (It's) really great to be a part of.'' win. “

Nightingale told his players it was win or go home, and the Spartans knew what they needed to do against a red-hot team. The Spartans will need to have the same mindset next weekend when they play their in-state rival, the University of Michigan Wolverines, in the Big Ten Championship. game.

“I think I can speak for everyone. We love the game of hockey and we want to keep playing,” Nienhaus said. “So this is another game where we have to improve and work hard and get better, so obviously we want to win and keep playing as long as possible.” Possible. “

Michigan State is scheduled to play the University of Michigan on Saturday, March 23rd at 8:00 p.m. at Mann Ice Arena, with the game to be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. This is the first time Michigan State will host the Big Ten Championship. House.