The #1 ranked Michigan State Hockey team returns home this weekend to face the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Thursday night’s game is at 7:30pm and Saturday’s is at 6:00pm with both games on BTN. For those that don’t have B1G +, this is a great weekend to watch some Spartan hockey. MSU is not only ranked #1 in the nation but also sits in control of its own destiny to three peat as conference champions. If MSU can win out, they will take it. That starts this weekend with Notre Dame.
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Notre Dame has had a tough season as they adjust to first year coach Brock Sheahan. They have finally started to put together some good games having gone 2-2-3 in their last seven, including their two first B1G wins this season against OSU and Minnesota. Spartan defender Patrick Geary mentioned this week that the Irish, “have a lot of skill, and are great off the rush. The standings haven’t been great, but we think they’re one of the better teams in the country.” Geary is correct about the Irish being great off the rush. MSU will have to take care of the puck and keep Notre Dame’s stretch passes to a minimum to keep them out of the rush. Basgall and Strbak will actively be trying to break those up.
MSU should look fresh and faster having just come off a bye. As hot as the Spartans were playing, it was tough to see them have to slam the breaks into a bye week and on top of that see Michigan take 4 of 6 points from PSU. Nightingale says he’s happy with the bye though considering how much traveling the team was doing and the various venues and magnitude of each recent series. He says the team has improved and a much needed rest will help them against the Irish.
The Spartans top line of Stramel, Russell, Martone will look to stay dominant. Russell is closing out his final 6 games after a storied career and already setting a career-high with 33 points. He’s leading the team with 23 assists and has some highlight real ones at that. Stramel also has set career-highs with 18 goals and 38 points. He has been one of the MVP’s this season and when he’s in the box score for points good things happen for the Spartans. Martone is right behind Stramel with 16 goals and has had a fantastic first season in East Lansing. Martone’s ability to show patience and trust in teammates when he has the puck is something special to watch. Speaking of the first years, Romani and Lee have also had great seasons and look to continue they’re momentum and finish the season strong.
Augustine has recently been named a semifinalist for the Mike Richter Award given to the NCAA’s top goaltender. He’s been having a bit of trouble with shots over the right shoulder recently but other than that has played very well against some very good teams. He is due for a shut out and I am going out on a ledge here and predicting he gets one this weekend. Helping him get this will be the team staying out of the box, which has been a big improvement as of late. The Spartans are still getting in the box but the PK has continued to play strong and limit the options. Most recent opponent power play goals have seen the majority of them being scored when the game was already in hand. The one level of concern is to be smart with the puck when on a power play and not give up short handed opportunities. I would venture this is something Nightingale cleaned up during the bye week.
MSU is looking to sweep and if they play their dominant, blue collar hockey, they should be able to do just that. Michigan is in Madison for a tough series against the Badgers. Hopefully Bucky can give a little breathing room and help us out. What do you think TOC Nation? Let me hear your thoughts in the comments and remember the live game discussion for both games is right here. Let’s stay hot and take care of business this weekend. Go Green!
