EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State opened its season ranked No. 3 and delivered on expectations, defeating Northern Michigan 6-2 on Friday and 5-1 on Sunday to sweep the nonconference series. Freshman skaters played a central role in MSU’s early momentum.
MSU starts the year with heightened expectations after last season’s 26‑9‑2 finish. Fourteen players returned from that roster, joined by 12 newcomers as the Spartans seek a fourth consecutive Big Ten title. Seven of those newcomers were NHL first‑round draft picks, including freshman defenseman Chase Reid, the No. 7 selection in the 2026 draft. Reid, signed with the Seattle Kraken, recorded three assists in the opening series.
Freshmen forwards Jack Hextell and Anthony Romani made strong impressions this weekend, with two goals and one assist from Hextell, and three goals and one assist from Romani. MSU converted seven power‑play opportunities across the two games, scoring five times Friday and twice Sunday, making most Spartan goals from the weekend power play products. The man‑advantage situations offered early pressure moments for the rookie class, while the Spartans’ veteran penalty‑kill unit did not allow any Northern power play goals.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Second of the weekend for Jack Hextall makes it 5-1! https://t.co/wyCgmhuVR2
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) October 11, 2026
(CONTINUED) This season marks MSU’s first in three years without 2026 Mike Richter Award Winner and two-time Big Ten Goaltender of the Year Trey Augustine holding down the net, leaving big skates to fill for incoming goaltenders. Junior Quentin Sigurdson and freshman Joshua Ravensbergen shared ice time this weekend, allowing three total goals. Sigurdson made 29 saves Friday, and Ravensbergen added 16 on Sunday.
Expectations will only rise for the Spartans as their opponents climb in rank. MSU will not face a Big Ten team until November, but will play their first road game against RIT in New York on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7:05p.m.
