Michigan State hockey dropped two spots to No. 4 in the latest rankings after splitting its weekend series against New Hampshire, suffering its first loss of the season before bouncing back with a 2-1 victory.
The early-season loss was tough to bear, as the Spartans entered the season with high expectations while carrying the weight of three consecutive Big Ten titles. On top of all that, their in-state rivals, the Michigan Wolverines, have looked as dominant as ever, remaining undefeated and atop the rankings through the first few weeks.
Even though all of that sounds exhausting, there was an underlying understanding among the fanbase that an early loss for this team, filled with young and talented freshmen, was not only inevitable but perhaps more necessary than most realize.
The Spartans dropped Game 1 against New Hampshire, 1-0, before escaping with a 2-1 win in Game 2. Across both games, Michigan State was outshot 79-38, which could serve as another wake-up call for a young and enthusiastic Spartans team.
Last year, the Spartans also dropped their very first game against the New Hampshire Wildcats. They then rallied off big wins week in and week out.
The situation is similar to what Tom Izzo's basketball teams have experienced over the years. Head coach Adam Nightingale knows his team is good enough to stack wins and make noise in the Big Ten as well as the NCAA Tournament. An early loss can serve as both a motivator and a builder of resilience, something the Spartans have embraced before.
Sure, Michigan State wants to win every game, but winning late in the season sometimes means overcoming tough losses early. It's the old mantra of taking one step back to move three steps forward.
Spartans Drop in Rankings After Weekend Split
Michigan State was jumped by both Wisconsin and Denver in the latest rankings. Denver entered the season as the reigning national champion but dropped two consecutive games against Michigan, which remains No. 1 in the nation. The Pioneers now sit at No. 3, while Wisconsin has climbed to No. 2.
Wisconsin has looked dominant after defeating Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament last season and advancing to the Frozen Four before falling to Michigan.
The Spartans now sit at No. 4 and will look to get back on track in their next matchup.
Michigan State Prepares for No. 8 North Dakota
The No. 4 Spartans will face the No. 8 North Dakota Fighting Hawks in a special one-game matchup in Austin, Texas, for the Hall of Fame Game. The contest will set a record with 13 first-round NHL draft picks playing in a single college hockey game.
The game is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31, at 8:07 p.m. ET.
North Dakota enters the matchup after being swept by Minnesota on the road last weekend, while Michigan State comes in following its split against New Hampshire.
Both teams will be looking to right the ship after disappointing weekends, setting the stage for a highly competitive matchup. With only one game on the schedule, there will be little room for error.
For Michigan State, controlling the puck and finding a way to generate more shots on goal will be critical. The Spartans have the talent to compete with anyone in the country, but they will need a stronger offensive showing to leave Austin with a win.