Spartan Hockey Dominates and Sweeps Wisconsin

In a must sweep weekend to keep the B1G title in sight, the Spartans showed up as the team we know they can be and swept number 2 ranked Wisconsin in Madison and in dominating fashion. While game 1 had a close final score, both games felt like they were MSU’s to lose. If this is the team that shows out the rest of the season everyone else better look out. Let’s take a closer look at each game. 

Friday night was a night of interesting puck bounces and fortunately for the Spartans, the bounces benefited them. The first period was really more neutral zone play than anything as both teams did a nice job of clearing and interrupting passing lanes. MSU was able to get one on the board and head into intermission up 1-0. It was the first of the lucky bounces as Hauser deflected the shot from Ralph and Ryker Lee was headed to the net and it bounced right off his chest. Augustine came up with a couple of nice saves, one on a turnover. Relatively clean first period as MSU was only in the box one time. 

The second period was where MSU found its jump and managed to hang on in the end. The Badgers tied things up quickly on a goal by Oliver Tulk but Gavin O’Connell had the Spartan answer 1 minute later. Daniel Russell had a lucky bounce on a shot that went over Hauser and dropped behind him and slowly crossed the line into the net. The highlight of the game though was MSU’s third goal of the period when Stramel took a pass from Vansaghi and squeezed between two defenders on some beautiful puck control and slapped one by Hauser. This put the Spartans up 4-1. This was that big jump and hot start the Spartans need and typically have success in the final score. The Badgers managed another in the second that was not Augustine’s fault and second intermission had the Spartans up 4-2. 

Third period things got too close for our liking but the puck stopped doing weird things and stayed on the side of the green and white. Wisconsin cut the game to a one goal differential. MSU had a post shot on the empty net which really summed up the puck bouncing. 

Game one keys were outstanding PK, allowing only 2 shots. Also the face off wins, in particular by Nilsson really allowing the Spartans puck control. 

Friday night proved to be another hot start. The Spartans out hustled the Badgers to the puck and stayed gritty allowing them to take a 3-0 lead after one. Vansaghi put the Spartans up with just a minute of action having been played but it was Daniel Russell’s shorty followed by his power play goal that had Wisconsin pull goalie Eli Pulver for Hauser. Romani added a fourth late in the second after a nice rush and another scoreless power play for the Badgers. That goal made it feel like it was over. Can we also just say that Romani is really fun to watch on the ice.

Augustine had a fantastic weekend but game 2 showed why he is one of the best. It’s unfortunate he lost the shutout with about 42 seconds remaining. Overall MSU still needs to stay out of the box more, even if their PK has been text book. Face off wins was another big take away for the Spartans success. When they needed them, they took them. Wisconsin typically has a bigger advantage in that department but MSU kept it close. MSU played with a sense of urgency and they never let up. The dominance that MSU showed on the PK was remarkable. Even when it felt a couple of the calls where phantom, MSU shutout the Badgers power play, took the face offs and even had the shorty. 

I’ll be curious to see what this weekend’s showing does to MSU in the polls. It was a dominant two games and I could see them and Wisconsin flip flopping in the polls. It seems the Spartans are under valued in the polls and the way they played in Madison shows their potential. Let’s hope this sweep is the catalyst that gets this team smoking hot. MSU finally heads back home to face Minnesota next weekend where they’ll face a former Spartan net minder. For now, let’s enjoy this sweep and let me know your thoughts TOC Nation!