MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – The most played rivalry in college hockey will advance to the NCAA Tournament region on Sunday night (6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2) after both Michigan State and Michigan State won close games. This will be the sixth upset of the season in the final. The regional semifinals will be played Friday outside St. Louis.
Top-seeded MSU staged a spirited comeback, scoring the tying goal with less than a minute left in regulation, and MSU senior forward Jeremy Davidson scored the overtime winner to send Western Michigan home. The third-seeded Wolverines came back from a 2-1 deficit and held off a second-half comeback from North Dakota State to win 4-3.
“I think it's exciting for both parties and great for the Big Ten and our rivalry,” Michigan coach Brandon Nowrat said. “Michigan State is a really good team and they've proven that, and we're excited to play them again.”
Michigan star defenseman Seamus Casey left with an injury after the first period of the Wolverines' regional semifinal game and did not return. Similarly, MSU defenseman David Gucciardi was sidelined with an injury in the final minutes of the third period and in overtime against Western Michigan. It is unclear which players will play on Sunday.
Just a week ago, MSU was able to win the Big Ten Tournament title in overtime against Michigan, winning for the fourth time in five tries this season against the Wolverines. Now, both teams will face off with an even bigger stake in the competition: a spot in the tournament. Frozen Four Online.
“No matter what, we want to go out there and get the job done, and that's our plan,” MSU freshman forward Gavin O'Connell said before the Michigan-North Dakota game. Ta. “We've played Michigan a few times, but I think it's great to play North Dakota. It's always good to beat Michigan, and if they're a team, we That’s what I intend to do.”
Looking back at this season's rivalry
In five meetings this season, MSU has a 4-1 record against the Wolverines. Let's look back at that matchup here.
January 19: Michigan 7, MSU1, Mann Ice Arena – MSU hadn’t lost in regulation since late October, before the University of Michigan came to Mann and defeated the Spartans. MSU scored a total of 94 penalties, including two big ones, and Michigan scored his four power play goals.
Jan. 20: MSU 7, Michigan State 5, Yost Ice Arena – The first 30 minutes looked like a repeat of the night before, with Michigan leading 4-1 midway through the second period. However, MSU came back, scoring four goals in the second period to take the lead, and added another in the third period to complete the comeback.
Feb. 9: MSU 5, Michigan 1, Yost Ice Arena – Michigan took the lead in the second period, but MSU’s Tanner Kelly responded less than 30 seconds later to tie the game. MSU dominated in the third period, scoring twice and then adding two empty-net goals.
February 10: MSU 3, Michigan State 2, Little Caesars Arena – MSU was able to win its first “Duel in the D” trophy since 2016. Kelly took the lead in this game, giving MSU a 3-1 lead after two periods and holding off a late Michigan attack in the third period.
March 23: MSU 5, Michigan State 4 (OT), Mann Ice Arena. – In one of the biggest games ever played at Mann Ice Arena, freshman defenseman Patrick Geary hits a point shot that hits the post in overtime and goes into the net, clinching the Big Ten Tournament title for MSU. Obtained.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @Nathaniel_Bott.
