If you were looking for the Michigan State hockey score this weekend, you probably saw a lot of Green and White celebrating on your feed. Honestly, what the Spartans just did to the Wisconsin Badgers in Madison wasn't just a win—it was a statement.
The Spartans didn't just survive the Kohl Center; they basically took it over.
On Friday night, January 16, 2026, Michigan State walked into a hostile environment against the No. 2 ranked Badgers and walked out with a dominant 4-1 victory. That followed a hard-fought 4-3 win on Thursday. If you're keeping track at home, that is a road sweep against the second-ranked team in the country.
It’s the first time Wisconsin has been swept all season.
The Numbers Behind the Michigan State Hockey Score
The Friday game was a masterclass in opportunistic hockey. Within the first 13 minutes, the Spartans had already hung three goals on the Badgers. It was a "blink and you'll miss it" kind of start that silenced a season-high crowd of over 12,000 people in Madison.
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Here is how that 4-1 scoreline actually broke down:
- Shane Vansaghi opened the floodgates just 1:17 into the game.
- Daniel Russell scored a short-handed beauty at 8:34 while the Spartans were supposed to be on the defensive.
- Russell struck again at 12:42, this time on the power play.
- Anthony Romani added a deflection late in the second to make it 4-0.
Wisconsin didn't even get on the board until the final minute of the third period. Logan Hensler spoiled Trey Augustine’s shutout bid with only 49 seconds left on the clock. It was too little, too late.
Why Trey Augustine is the Difference Maker
You can’t talk about the Michigan State hockey score without talking about Trey Augustine. The junior goaltender is currently on the Mike Richter Award Watch List for a reason. On Friday, he stopped 30 of 31 shots.
The Badgers actually outshot MSU 31-23. In a lot of games, that shot margin results in a loss. But Augustine was a wall. He’s now 14-5-0 on the season, and his ability to remain calm when the Spartans are pinned in their own zone is basically the team's "get out of jail free" card.
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Moving Up the Rankings
Coming into this weekend, the Spartans were sitting at No. 3 in the USA Hockey Poll and No. 4 in the USCHO.com rankings. After sweeping the No. 2 team on the road? Expect those numbers to shift.
The rivalry at the top of the Big Ten is getting crowded. Michigan is currently sitting at No. 1, and with State’s recent performance, the battle for the top spot in the conference is becoming a three-way sprint between the Spartans, Wolverines, and Badgers.
Key Standouts to Watch
It’s not just the veterans doing the heavy lifting. The depth on this roster is sort of terrifying for the rest of the Big Ten.
Charlie Stramel has been on a tear. He led the way in Thursday's 4-3 win with two points and has already hit a career-high 28 points this season. Then you have the young guns like Ryker Lee, who scored a "spin-o-rama" goal against Ohio State earlier this month that people are still talking about.
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The scoring isn't coming from just one line. It’s coming from everywhere.
What’s Next for Spartan Hockey?
The Spartans are heading home to East Lansing now. If you're looking to catch the next Michigan State hockey score live, you'll want to head to Munn Ice Arena this coming weekend.
Upcoming Schedule:
- Minnesota at Michigan State: Friday, Jan 23 at 7:00 PM (The Teddy Bear Toss game!)
- Minnesota at Michigan State: Saturday, Jan 24 at 6:00 PM
- Michigan State at Penn State: Jan 30-31 (Outdoor game at Beaver Stadium on the 31st)
The Minnesota series is going to be massive. The Gophers are always a tough out, and Munn is already selling out. Standing-room-only tickets are expected to be the only thing left by puck drop.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the team's trajectory, keep an eye on the PairWise rankings. That’s what ultimately determines the NCAA tournament seeding.
- Watch the Special Teams: MSU was 2-for-2 on the penalty kill on Thursday and shut down five Wisconsin power plays on Friday. When they stay out of the box (or kill the ones they take), they are almost impossible to beat.
- Secondary Scoring: Watch guys like Gavin O’Connell and Tommi Männistö. When the top line gets neutralized, these are the guys finding the back of the net.
- Outdoor Game Prep: If you’re planning on heading to the Penn State game on January 31, remember it’s at Beaver Stadium. It’s going to be cold, and the sightlines are different than a standard rink.
The Spartans are currently the best defensive team in the country, allowing only about 1.75 goals per game. As long as that number stays low, the wins will keep piling up.