As the temperatures drop in East Lansing, Michigan State hockey is heating up in a big way - both on the ice and in the national rankings. Heading into this weekend’s home series against Minnesota, the Spartans have surged to No. 2 in both the USA Hockey and USCHO.com polls, continuing a season that’s been nothing short of dominant. It’s the latest high point in a campaign where MSU hasn’t dipped below No. 4 in either poll all year.
But before we dive into the matchups, a quick note for fans braving the cold: due to extreme weather conditions, students won’t be allowed to line up outside Munn Ice Arena until 15 minutes before doors open. Safety first - even when the stakes are high and the rivalry is real.
This weekend’s series brings the Spartans face-to-face with Minnesota for the first time this season. The two programs know each other well - over the past two years, they’ve gone 3-2-3 against each other, with Michigan State winning all three shootouts in the tied games to grab the extra Big Ten points. The rematch in Minneapolis is circled on the calendar for early March, but first, the Gophers roll into Munn for a two-game set that’s as much about bragging rights as it is about playoff positioning.
Friday night’s game comes with a feel-good twist - it’s Teddy Bear Toss night. Saturday shifts gears with Star Wars night, adding some intergalactic flair to what’s already expected to be a high-stakes clash.
Michigan State is coming off a statement weekend that turned heads across college hockey. The Spartans went into the Kohl Center and swept then-No.
2 Wisconsin on their home ice, pulling off 4-3 and 4-1 wins that sent a clear message: this team is built to contend. Senior forward Daniel Russell was electric, netting three goals in the series, including a two-goal performance in the second game.
That sweep pushed MSU’s record against ranked opponents to an impressive 7-3-0. And it’s not just any ranked teams they’ve faced - every one of them has been in the Top 10 at the time of the matchup.
Even teams like New Hampshire and Michigan Tech, who weren’t ranked when they played the Spartans, have since climbed into the polls. In short, MSU isn’t just winning - they’re doing it against the best.
A huge part of that success has come from the Spartans’ top line: Daniel Russell, Charlie Stramel, and Porter Martone. This trio has been nothing short of lethal, combining for 79 points on 34 goals and 45 assists.
They’re a collective +65 on the ice, with Stramel leading the way at +24. That’s not just production - that’s dominance.
Stramel is putting together a career year, already surpassing his previous single-season high in points with 29 - and he did it in just 21 games. His face-off game has been elite, too.
He ranks fourth in the nation with 272 wins at the dot, and his scoring numbers are just as strong: 0.59 goals per game (14th nationally), 0.73 assists per game (28th), and 1.32 points per game (14th). He’s doing it all - and doing it efficiently.
Martone, the freshman phenom, is right there with him. He’s eighth in the country in both goals per game (0.70) and points per game (1.35), racking up 27 points on the season with a balanced 14 goals and 13 assists. His transition to college hockey has been seamless, and his impact is undeniable.
Then there’s Russell - the steady senior who continues to pile up points and lead by example. He’s also at 0.73 assists per game (28th nationally) and recently joined an elite group of just seven active Division I players with over 100 career points. That kind of experience and consistency is gold come playoff time.
In net, junior goaltender Trey Augustine is putting together a season worthy of national recognition - and he’s getting it. Along with Stramel and Martone, Augustine has been nominated for the 2026 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given annually to the top player in college hockey.
And his numbers back it up. He ranks second in the country in both goals against average (1.75) and save percentage (.937), and he’s third in shutouts with three.
He also leads all active college goaltenders in career wins with 57 - and he’s done it in 15 fewer games than the next closest netminder. That’s not just impressive; that’s elite.
As a team, Michigan State is checking every box. They lead the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 1.77 goals per game.
They’re eighth in scoring offense (3.55 goals per game), and their +1.77 scoring margin ranks fourth nationally. Inside the Big Ten, they’re tops in defense and third in offense - a combination that makes them one of the most balanced and dangerous squads in the country.
So as the Spartans gear up for Minnesota this weekend, they’re not just chasing wins - they’re chasing hardware. With a deep, skilled roster and a goaltender playing at an All-American level, this team has all the tools to make a serious run. And if the past few weeks are any indication, they’re just getting started.