If you were watching the Big Ten standings last week, you probably thought you knew exactly how the Ohio State vs Michigan State hockey series was going to go. Michigan State came into Columbus as the No. 2 team in the country. They were absolute world-beaters. Ohio State? Honestly, they’ve been struggling. They were sitting at the bottom of the conference, basically looking for any sign of life.
Then Saturday night happened.
The Buckeyes pulled off a 2-1 stunner at the Schottenstein Center, splitting the series and sending the Spartans back to East Lansing with a lot of questions. This wasn't supposed to be a close fight. But in college hockey, rankings usually go out the window the second the puck drops in a rivalry game.
The Saturday Shock: How Ohio State Flipped the Script
Friday was a blowout. Let’s just call it what it was. Michigan State won 6-2, scoring three goals in a span of just 23 seconds. It was a clinic. Most people—myself included—figured Saturday would be more of the same.
But Ohio State head coach Steve Rohlik clearly got into his guys' heads. The Buckeyes didn't just win on Saturday; they dominated the puck. They outshot the Spartans 14-3 in the first period alone. You don’t see a No. 2 team get held to three shots in a period very often.
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The hero? Sam Hillebrandt.
The freshman goalie from Port Huron—ironically, a Michigan kid—was a brick wall. He stopped 26 of 27 shots. He didn't look like a freshman. He looked like a guy who’s been starting in the Big Ten for four years. When Davis Burnside tucked in that go-ahead goal at 8:01 in the third period, the energy in the "Schott" shifted. It went from "maybe we can hang" to "we’re actually winning this."
Why This Series Matters for the Big Ten Race
The loss is a massive blow to Michigan State’s hunt for the regular-season title. Adam Nightingale has turned that program around faster than anyone expected, but these are the games that keep you up at night.
- Michigan State's Record: 15-5-0 overall, 6-4-0 in the Big Ten.
- The Standings: They’re currently sitting third with 18 points.
- The Leaders: They’re chasing Michigan and Wisconsin, and losing points to a sub-.500 Ohio State team is a recipe for finishing second or third instead of first.
The Spartans have a roster loaded with high-end talent. You’ve got Charlie Stramel, who has been a force with 26 points this year, and freshman phenom Porter Martone. Martone actually scored his 14th goal of the season during the Saturday loss, but it wasn't enough. When your top scorers are clicking but the rest of the engine stalls, you get results like this.
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The Tactical Battle: Faceoffs and Special Teams
One thing people often overlook in the Ohio State vs Michigan State hockey matchup is the "dirty work" at the dot. On Friday, the faceoffs were basically a wash. On Saturday, Ohio State absolutely crushed it.
The Buckeyes won 40 faceoffs compared to Michigan State’s 23. That is a staggering difference. If you can’t win the draw, you can’t set up your power play. You can't control the zone.
Speaking of power plays, Michigan State’s unit is usually lethal. They went 2-for-4 on Friday. But on Saturday? Ohio State’s penalty kill was a perfect 2-for-2. They limited the Spartans to just two shots total during those power plays. That’s how you beat a top-five team. You take away their biggest weapon and make them play a grinding, five-on-five game.
Looking Ahead: Can Ohio State Keep This Momentum?
Is this the turning point for the Buckeyes? Honestly, it’s hard to say. They are 7-12-1. That’s not a great place to be in January. But they showed they can skate with the best in the country.
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They have a brutal schedule coming up. After a week off, they head to Notre Dame, and then they host the No. 1 ranked Michigan Wolverines. If Hillebrandt continues to play like a Vezina candidate and Burnside keeps finding the back of the net, they could play spoiler for the rest of the season.
Michigan State, on the other hand, needs to find consistency. They have the best goaltender in the conference in Trey Augustine. He was incredible on Saturday, stopping 33 shots, but he can't score goals for them. The Spartans need their secondary scoring to wake up when Martone and Stramel are being shadowed.
What to Watch in the Next Matchup
If you're planning on betting on or just watching the next time these two meet, keep an eye on the location. The home-ice advantage in the Big Ten is real. The Buckeyes used the Columbus crowd to fuel that Saturday upset.
- Watch the Goaltending Duel: If it's Augustine vs. Hillebrandt again, expect a low-scoring, high-tension game.
- The Freshmen Factor: Both teams are leaning heavily on young talent. How these guys handle the "February Wall" will decide the series.
- The Physicality: Things got chippy at the end of the series. Expect the next meeting to have a lot of post-whistle scuffles.
Basically, don't let the records fool you. The Ohio State vs Michigan State hockey rivalry is as volatile as it gets right now. One night it's a blowout; the next, it's a defensive masterclass.
Your Next Steps for Following the Season
To stay on top of this race, you should regularly check the updated USCHO polls and the Big Ten hockey standings, as one weekend can shift a team three spots. If you're looking for tickets for the next series, the Big Ten tournament starts in March, and both of these teams are likely to be physical threats in the opening rounds regardless of their seed. Monitor the injury reports for Michigan State’s middle-six forwards, as their depth was clearly tested in the Saturday loss.