It’s a short week for the Spartan Icemen as they look to regain their swagger after getting swept by Wisconsin and losing their number 1 ranking to that other school. The Colgate Raiders come to East Lansing
and look to give MSU something to be thankful for with a 7pm game Wednesday, November 26 and a 4pm game on Friday, November 28. Both games will be available to watch on B1G+.
MSU’s top line of Stramel, Russell and Martone will look to stay hot. They are a combined +38 with 44 points. Martone was recently added to the top 10 NHL prospects under 25. The Spartans will also look to stay out of the penalty box as the power play is a strong suit for the Raiders. Jack Brandt leads the team with four power play goals of his own. MSU is a bigger team and should be able to control the physical play but they will need to play smart. Colgate is not afraid of ranked opponents and has already defeated a top ten team in Maine earlier this season.
One interesting matchup to keep an eye on will be the face-off battle between Stramel and Ryan Sullivan as they are 15 and 14 in the nation in face-off wins. The Spartans hope to use their speed and playmakers to create opportunities but not to give them right back as they did against Wisconsin. The Raiders do not commit a lot of penalties so the Spartans are unlikely to have many power play chances of their own. I believe Nightingale will have this team amped and ready to prove something. I would expect a big win Wednesday and perhaps a closer win on Friday but a Spartan sweep nonetheless. I am also going to make a prediction that Lindstrom is going to get a goal.
Leave your thoughts on the game as it is happening in the comments and Go Green!
