Live Updates: Michigan State Hockey Battles Wisconsin in NCAA Tournament
The Michigan State Spartans enter Saturday’s regional final one win from the Frozen Four. They face the Wisconsin Badgers at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Filmogaz.com will provide live updates as Michigan State hockey battles Wisconsin during the NCAA Tournament regional final. Puck drop was scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET and the game aired on ESPN2.
Path to Worcester
Michigan State advanced by beating UConn 2-1 in the regional semifinal on March 26. The Spartans rallied after trailing and excelled on the penalty kill.
Michigan State finished the Big Ten regular season atop the standings for a third straight year. The program has not reached the Frozen Four since 2007.
What’s at stake
The winner moves on to the Frozen Four in Las Vegas on April 9. That team will meet the victor of North Dakota and Quinnipiac.
Michigan State seeks a fourth national title. The Spartans previously won championships in 1966, 1986 and 2007.
Wisconsin overview
The Badgers entered the tournament as the 3-seed after finishing fourth in the Big Ten. Wisconsin has six national championships, with the most recent in 2006.
Wisconsin’s last Frozen Four appearance came in 2010. The Badgers aim to return to the national semifinals this season.
Season series
- Nov. 21 — Wisconsin 5, Michigan State 4.
- Nov. 22 — Wisconsin 2, Michigan State 1 (OT).
- Jan. 15 — Michigan State 4, Wisconsin 3.
- Jan. 16 — Michigan State 4, Wisconsin 1.
The teams split the four-game regular-season series 2-2. Each squad recorded road sweeps in that slate.
Early game notes
Michigan State lifted the Iron D trophy after beating Michigan 5-2 in the Duel in the D. The Spartans celebrated their third consecutive win over Michigan.
In the regional final’s opening period, both teams exchanged pressure with a scoreless first frame. Michigan State goalie Trey Augustine kept the game level early while the Badgers held a slight shot advantage.
Broadcast and schedule
Date: Saturday, March 28. Location: DCU Center, Worcester, Massachusetts. Channel: ESPN2. Streaming: ESPN app and Fubo.
Michigan State’s remaining NCAA Tournament path lists the Frozen Four on April 9 and the national championship game on April 11 in Las Vegas.
Looking ahead
The Spartans have often scored four or more goals against Wisconsin this season. Three of the four regular-season meetings featured at least four MSU goals.
Coaches and fans expect a physical matchup between two veteran Big Ten programs. Filmogaz.com will continue to offer updates throughout the regional final.
