No. 1 Michigan State falls to No. 10 Michigan, 3-2, in OT; rematch set for Saturday at Munn

No. 1 Michigan State dropped its first game in more than a month as No. 10 Michigan outlasted the Spartans, 3-2, in overtime Friday night at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor.

The Spartans held a 2-1 advantage for most of the third period, but Michigan junior T.J. Hughes used a a back-handed goal in front of the net to tie the game at 2-2 with 5:35 remaining. Neither team scored for the remainder of regulation, sending the game into overtime.

The three-on-three overtime period was short-lived. Just a minute into extra time, Michigan sophomore Garrett Shifsky, left open in the slot, fired a one-timer past Michigan State goalie Trey Augustine off a pass from Hughes, giving the Wolverines a 3-2 win.

Augustine finished the night with 29 saves on 32 Michigan shots, while Michigan graduate senior Logan Stein made 35 saves on 37 Michigan State shots.

“Obviously they made a good play and we didn’t defend it well for the overtime winner, but back at it tomorrow,” said Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale. “I thought we did a lot of good things tonight. I thought we gave ourselves a chance to win in a tough barn.”

Michigan State takes the lead in the third

After failing to find the back of the net at the end of the second period, things changed for Michigan State just over eight minutes into the third when Spartan junior Joey Larson capitalized on a poor line change by Michigan.

Spartan junior David Gucciardi slapped the puck up the ice to junior Karsen Dorwart during the change, which presented Michigan State with a three-on-two opportunity in front of goal. Dorwart passed to Larson, who gave the Spartans a 2-1 lead.

The Spartans used their momentum from the Larson goal to earn several scoring chances, but couldn’t produce a two-goal lead. Ultimately, Michigan countered with the Hughes goal to send it to overtime.

A feisty second period results in Michigan power play goal

The second period saw plenty of back-and-forth action, though neither team found the back of the net during the first 10 minutes. Some chippy play from both sides resulted in Michigan State defenseman Gucciardi taking a big hit midway through the period. Gucciardi’s defense partner, senior defenseman Nicklas Andrews, retaliated and drew a penalty for slashing, setting up a Michigan power play.

In one of the fiercest rivalries in college hockey, sometimes emotions can get the best of players. Andrews, a Canton, Mich., native, was playing in his first rivalry game after transferring in from Colorado College this offseason. His penalty proved costly, as it gave Michigan its first dose of momentum all game.

“You still have to control (your emotions),” Nightingale said when asked about the penalty. “I want our guys to stick up for each other, but you take a number. Obviously it’s the first game the series. It’s a long series, but we have to learn from that one for sure and be better tomorrow.”

Michigan quickly took advantage of the opportunity, thanks to freshman Will Horcoff, who tipped in a shot from Evan Werner to tie the game at 1-1 just :17 seconds into the man advantage. The remaining eight minutes of the period saw more Michigan State pressure, but the Spartans were unable to find the back of the net once again.

“I thought we missed the net a fair amount,” Nightingale said. “Just getting to the net, we can do a better job of that.”

Spartans open the scoring

The Spartans, who were 7-0-2 since their 4-0 loss to Wisconsin on Dec. 6, opened the scoring early in the first period. A goal by Dorwart gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the contest.

Michigan State kept that momentum going throughout the first period, earning several more scoring chances. The Spartans were unable to finish. Michigan State outshot Michigan, 15-7, in the period.

“I thought (we) did a good job,” Nightingale said. “I don’t think we gave up much all game, but that’s how these games are. They’re tight and they can go either way.”

What’s next

The loss represents Michigan State’s first overtime defeat of the season. The Spartans were 3-0-2 in overtime heading into Friday night.

Michigan State fell to 18-3-2 (9-2-2) with the loss. Minnesota overtook the Spartans for first place in the Big Ten after the Gophers’ 5-2 win over Notre Dame Friday night. Michigan State did earn one point in the conference standings for taking the game against the Wolverines to overtime.

The Spartans currently sit at 29 points, while Minnesota has 30. The Gophers will come to East Lansing next weekend.

Michigan State will head back to East Lansing to complete the weekend series against Michigan Saturday night, with puck drop set for 7:30 p.m. The Spartans’ three losses this season have all come on a Friday night. They’ve bounced back with wins the following day against Wisconsin and Boston College.

“I thought we did a great job of being physical,” Nightingale said. “I thought that stretch in the second (period), they did a great job of hanging on. We had four minutes there in the offensive zone where we just couldn’t find the back of the net, so we have a lot to work on to be ready to go tomorrow.”