Michigan State hockey is expected to contend for a national championship this upcoming season, but they are not the preseason favorite to win their own conference.
The Big Ten released its preseason honors
for men's hockey on Wednesday, which included the preseason poll of the league. While Michigan State is aiming to win it all this year, they were picked to finish second in the league behind rival Michigan.Here is the full preseason poll from the league:
- Michigan
- Michigan State
- Wisconsin
- Minnesota
- Ohio State
- Notre Dame
- Penn State
Michigan State is No. 3 in the preseason USCHO.com national rankings, also one spot behind Michigan, who is No. 2. The national rankings align with the preseason poll from the league, showing that both teams are aiming for not only the league title but the national title as well.
Michigan State
is a three-time defending champion in the Big Ten, edging out the Wolverines last year for the crown. It'll be interesting to see if they can make it four straight years this year, but more importantly if they can get over the hump and reach their first Frozen Four since 2007.
Michigan State opens the regular season on October 9 in a home game against Northern Michigan. The Spartans will play an exhibition game against Boston College next week on October 2 as their first true action of the season.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU hockey picked to finish second in Big Ten preseason poll
