Michigan State Hockey Preview/Game Thread: Minnesota

The Spartan hockey regular season ends this weekend as they head to Minnesota. This week’s games are on Thursday and Friday, both have 8pm puck drops and both are on B1G+. MSU needs 3 points this weekend to secure an outright three peat and 2 points to secure a tie. MSU doesn’t want either of those, they want all 6 points. After a weirdly disappointing showing last weekend, an epic 13 round shootout win and dropping in both polls even as others in the top 5 had similar weekends, MSU looks to punch Minnesota in the face with a statement that they are not messing around come March and April.

Last Friday’s game went downhill with the penalties and 3 goals in 2.5 minutes in the first period. It was a hole that was too much to overcome paired with the way they were playing. Thankfully, Saturday night they looked a bit more like themselves. They still had a few defensive lapses and struggled with puck control and were consistently being stood up on the blue line. The shoot out win by Ralph and the big stops by Augustine will hopefully propel some momentum back in their direction this weekend and into tournament time.

The biggest difference in last weekends two games were penalties. Saturday night saw the Spartans staying out of the box and they were able to tie things up when down a goal and keep the game close. That style of play is needed this weekend. Clean and smart hockey. We have been talking about this all season, but come tournaments they must stay out of the box. State’s top line was also relatively quiet for them last weekend, aside from Martone, it would be nice for them to quickly get back to their dominance.

State also needs to get better at puck handling inside its own zone. Defenders seemed to have a tough time with the puck last weekend and at times even over skating the puck and leaving it behind or making one too many passes. These may be just some issues from a weird weekend, but it is a detail that needs to be cleaned up. MSU will also need some additional help besides the top line and Lee and Romani. Typically, they get that help from somewhere. O’Connell and West have both looked solid recently and O’Connell has had some just misses so don’t be surprised if he manages some points this weekend.

Lastly, Tre Augustine. He did not look like himself really in either game last weekend. He’s been getting beat over the shoulder. Yes, some of this may be vision and being unable to see the puck do to players blocking the crease, but it has also happened on plays where his vision has not been obstructed. It continues to be something I’ve been keeping an eye on and as hard as he is to beat down low and around the corners, it would seem that teams would be coaching slap shots up in the corners.

The Gophers rely on most of their points coming from Brodie Ziemer (22 goals), Brody Lamb (14 goals, 16 assists) and LJ Mooney (21 assists). Minnesota does give up shots on goal and also face offs. This could bode well for the Spartans if they just keep getting the puck on net and winning offensive draws. The Spartans faired well against their former teammate, DiPasquo, when they faced him in January. MSU will need to use its speed and hustle and stay in the Minnesota zone. Blue line play will be interesting to keep an eye on in this one as to whether last weekend was an anomaly or an unfortunate new trend.

I look for the Spartans to get out there and get the job done. All the more enjoyable when you know the folks in aa will all be watching and praying for Spartan demise. Every team has some slip ups in a long season, we can hope that MSU got there’s out of the way and paved the way for post season success that begins with a three peat Big Ten Conference title trophy.

TOC Nation, let me know your thoughts and if anyone will be in Minnesota to cheer them on this weekend. Stay right here for all fan discussion for both games and GO GREN!