On the scoreboard, the difference between Michigan State and Michigan tonight was a single goal, but the score of the Spartans’ 2-1 win over the Wolverines tells only a fraction of the story.
It was the first win for Michigan State in Yost Ice Arena since Nov. 13, 2009.
It was a win that secured a first-round bye for the Spartans in next week’s Big Ten tournament, as Michigan State can now finish no lower than second in the final standings.
For the Wolverines, it meant no regular-season Big Ten title, as Michigan can now finish no higher than second place.
For the Spartans – who finished fifth in the 2013-2014 Big Ten standings, this victory was especially sweet.
“Very satisfying,” said coach Tom Anastos. “Extremely satisfying? Are those all the options?”
For the Wolverines? Heartbreaking.
“We have a list of goals in our locker room,” said coach Red Berenson. “Protect Yost. Win the weekend. Win the GLI. Win the Big Ten. We were a goal away from doing all four of those and we didn’t get it.”
On Friday night, the Wolverines ruined the Spartans’ senior night, netting two quick goals in the first period and two late in the third to win 5-3. Tonight, the Spartans returned that favor by coming out flying in the first period and then relying on junior goaltender Jake Hildebrand to play spectacularly for the entire game. Hildebrand finished the night with 37 saves as the Wolverines outshot the Spartans, 38-19.
“I can’t think of any better scoring chances than some we had,” said Berenson. “Zach Hyman had a breakaway. Tyler Motte had a one-time play from Boo Nieves late in the game. Their goalie stood on his head and played as well as I’ve seen a goalie play this year.”
For his part, Hildebrand said that the Spartans wanted to deliver for the seniors they felt they let down last night in Munn Ice Arena.
“I think this one means a little bit more,” said Hildebrand. “Whenever you’re playing Michigan, it’s only three points, but with the way the standings were and that first-round bye that we were looking to get, this is huge for our team and our confidence moving forward.”
Michael Ferrantino opened the scoring for the Spartans at 7:50 in the first just after the Wolverines killed off a penalty to Alex Kyle. Ferrantino flew down the left wing and fired from the circle, beating Michigan goaltender Zach Nagelvoort with a shot to the opposite side of the net.
Michigan defenseman Zach Werenski answered on a power play at 12:59 in the second, a one-timer through traffic from the top of the slot to knot the game.
On the first shift of the third period, Matt DeBlouw put the Spartans ahead for the only time during this two-game series, a breakaway that beat Nagelvoort clean.
“Obviously, it was a tough game,” said Anastos. “Last night was difficult. I thought our effort was real strong tonight. Our goaltending was phenomenal, but we’ve grown to expect that. Tough environment. They had a lot on the line, as did we, and so tonight we won enough of the key moments to give us a chance to win. Last night, we didn’t.”
Berenson said that while the loss is disappointing, he liked the way his team played.
“We give up a timely goal in the third period that was costly and we couldn’t get it back,” he said. “I don’t know how many Grade A scoring chances we had in the game. Give Hildebrand credit and give their team credit, but the puck wasn’t going in.”
Michigan State (17-15-2, 11-7-2-0 Big Ten) plays next Friday in the second round of the Big Ten championship tournament in Joe Louis Arena. When the Wolverines (20-14-2, 12-8-0-0 Big Ten) play next weekend will be determined by the outcome of tonight’s Penn State-Minnesota game.
