EAST LANSING- The Michigan State Spartans bested  No. 16  Umass Lowell River Hawks 4-3 on Thursday evening. With his family in attendance, graduate transfer forward Miroslav Mucha from Slovakia, was able to net his first two goals as a Spartan and propel them to victory. 

“We’re a team that’s learning how to win and this will be one that we’ll bank on looking forward to tomorrow night,” said head coach Adam Nightingale. 

The two teams came out flying in the first period with Umass Lowells’ Brain Chambers scoring the first goal three minutes into the game. River Hawk captain Carl Berglund skated the puck down the left side and threw it in front for Chambers to stuff it five hole on MSU graduate transfer goalie Dylan St. Cyr. 

Later in the first frame, the Spartans tied it up at 1-1. Mucha tipped freshman defenseman Matt Basgall’s pass through the five hole of River Hawk goaltender Gustavs Davis Grigals. But he was not done yet. Just 42 seconds later, Mucha doubled up and rifled one from distance past a screened Grigals.

“It’s awesome, especially when your parents come to see,” Mucha said. “The guys played really well and I was lucky to get rewarded.”  

Less than a minute after Mucha’s tally, graduate senior Christian Krygier got one past Grigals to make it 3-1 for the green and white. The three goals came within 1:34 seconds of each other.

The River Hawks did not go down easily. Fillip Fornåå Svensson and Scout Truman scored at the beginning of the second and third period to tie it at 3-3.

“We want to be a team that starts periods well and you always have to be careful especially at the start,” Nightingale said.

With the clock ticking down and the tension rising in Munn Ice Arena, sophomore forward Tanner Kelly was awarded a penalty shot. Kelly showed off a great display of hands to roof it into the net on the backhand and put the Spartans up 4-3. 

“I just saw what was available and made the best move that I possibly could,” Kelly said.

Lowell, down a goal late, pulled its goalie for an extra skater and was awarded a power play with 28 seconds left on the clock.  The MSU defense and St. Cyr was able to hold off the River Hawks and secure the win for Michigan State.

“We’re proud of them, but now we gotta move on to tomorrow,” said Nightingale.

Michigan State ends the two-game series at home against Umass Lowell Friday at 7:30 p.m.