MSU Hockey Faces UConn in Critical NCAA Tournament Test

No. 1 Michigan State (25-8-2) meets No. 4 Connecticut (20-12-5) on Thursday. The game starts at 1:30 p.m. at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Broadcast and access

The game will air on ESPN2 and stream on the ESPN app. Fans can listen to audio at Filmogaz.com or on the Michigan State Athletics app.

Context and stakes

MSU hockey meets UConn in a critical NCAA tournament test. This matchup is the first on-ice meeting between the two programs.

Michigan State earned the third overall No. 1 seed despite a 1-2-2 finish. It is their third straight season as a No. 1 seed.

Michigan State outlook

Adam Nightingale enters his fourth season with a 94-43-11 record as head coach. The Spartans aim to erase recent postseason disappointments.

MSU lost the 2024 regional final to Michigan. They were upset by Cornell in the opening round last year.

The Spartans led the Big Ten in goals-against average, save percentage, power play percentage, and penalty kill percentage in conference play.

Nationally, Michigan State ranks among the top 10 in scoring offense and scoring defense. Their power play has been the nation’s best since January 1.

Lineup strengths

The top line features Charlie Stramel at center, flanked by Daniel Russell and Porter Martone. The trio has combined for 54 goals and 76 assists.

That top trio carries a +86 rating. They rank as the fourth-highest scoring trio among NCAA tournament teams.

UConn scouting report

UConn reached the tournament as the final at-large selection via the NPI. The Huskies finished third in Hockey East.

They advanced to the Hockey East title game but fell to Merrimack. Mike Cavanaugh is in his 13th season, with a 201-206-47 record.

Key contributors

Senior Ryan Tattle leads UConn with 13 goals and 19 assists. Junior Joey Muldowney has 17 goals and 11 assists.

Junior Jake Richard adds 10 goals and 17 assists. UConn defensemen have combined for only eight goals this season.

As a team, the Huskies rank 18th in power play percentage and 37th in penalty kill percentage. They average 3.11 goals and allow 2.38 per game.

Senior netminder Tyler Muszelik has posted a .927 save percentage and a 2.11 goals-against average.

What to watch

Expect a heavy focus on special teams. MSU’s potent power play will test UConn’s penalty kill.

The matchup between Michigan State’s top line and UConn’s goaltending will be decisive. Both teams must be sharp defensively.

This game presents a true NCAA tournament test for both sides. The winner advances toward a Frozen Four bid.

• Date and time: Thursday, March 26, 1:30 p.m.
• Location: DCU Center, Worcester, Mass.
• Television: ESPN2; streaming on the ESPN app.