Rivalry Week in the Mitten State: No. 6 Michigan vs. No 12 Michigan State
The Wolverines and Spartans are gearing up to clash in a vigorous battle in East Lansing this weekend. Michigan State and Michigan have met 12 times since 2020, and the Spartans have only been victorious one time. This year the number could very well change in favor of the green and white.
Michigan, a surprise to nobody, has been a solid squad this season. With all of the talent they have, the expectation is for the team to make quite a run when the Big Ten Playoffs and NCAA Tournament come around.
On the other hand, Michigan State has been a surprise to many this season and have come out of the gates on fire. New bench boss Adam Nightingale has helped turn the program around in his first season in East Lansing.
Michigan has one of the best freshman forwards in the country in Adam Fantilli, and he leads the team with 26 points this season in just 16 games played. His linemate, Mackie Samoskevich, has 21 points on the season and the two have worked together as a one-two punch this season.
Luke Hughes is the top defenseman on the team and has been producing as a top defenseman should. He has 17 points on the season which has him tied for fourth on the team behind Fantilli, Samoskevich and McGroarty.
Eric Portillo is the main pillow man for Brandon Naurato’s team, with a .902 save percentage and 2.94 goals against average. Naurato may be expecting more from his junior goaltender in this series. Noah West is the backup netminder, in three games he has proven to be a worthy candidate to start if needed.
Brandon Naurato is in his first season under the title of nterim head coach for the maize and blue. He, just like the team, are both trying to prove themselves night in and night out.
Michigan has a one-two punch up front, but the green and white have a trio of forwards that all feed off each other when they play. Daniel Russell, Karsen Dorwart and Nicolas Muller have been the catalysts for the Spartan offensive attack this season.
Russell has 18 points on the season, Dorwart and Muller both have 17. Muller has 14 assists and is a big time playmaker for the Green and White.
Nash Nienhuis, a junior defensemen, leads all blue liners with 12 points on the season. Nienhuis sees ample time on ice during special teams because of his production and offensive capabilities.
Freshman defensemen, Matt Basgall, leads all defensemen in time spent being a sponge. He has 32 blocked shots on the season, and his netminder and team love having him on the backend.
Dylan St. Cyr is a brick wall between the pipes for the Spartans and the graduate transfer has been showcasing his experience all season. St. Cyr has a .924 save percentage and 2.53 goals against average, and is the reason for loads of the team's success.
Both teams are coming off a disappointing weekend, the Spartans got swept by Minnesota, and the Wolverines split with Wisconsin, the bottom Big Ten team.
The maize and blue are considered to be the better team on paper, but any team can win any night in the Big Ten. With that in mind, expect a classic tight checking entertaining series in Munn Ice Arena Friday and Saturday.
Hayden Lewis is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email lewis1818hayden@gmail.com.
