EAST LANSING – No. 8 Michigan State hockey will return to Munn Ice Arena on Thursday, Oct. 19 to face off against Canisius College for their third series of the season.

Last weekend, MSU went head-to-head with Air Force in its first road test of the season, splitting the series with a 6-5 loss on Thursday, and a 5-3 win on Friday.

After recording five points and a hat-trick in Friday’s game, sophomore transfer Joey Larson was named Big Ten Second Star of the Week. Larson is the second Spartan to earn the award this season after alternate captain Nico Muller received the honor after his impressive performance in the opening series against Lake Superior State.

Canisius comes into the matchup at 0-2-0 on the young season, after being swept by Miami University in its opening series.

The Griffins’ impact players include graduate student Erik Urbank, who leads the team in shots on goal, and seniors Randy Hernandez and Jackson Decker, who lead the Griffins in points. Freshman Matteo Giampa, captain Max Kouznetsov, and Decker all lead the team in goals with one each.

After his hat trick, Joey Larson tied junior Red Savage for the team lead in goals, each with three. The two are a part of the top scoring line which includes freshman Gavin O’Connell, who has recorded two goals and one assist. Other Spartans to watch are fifth-year senior Nico Muller and sophomore Karsen Dorwart, who are barely behind Larson and Savage in points thus far in the season. Freshman defenseman Artyom Levshunov is another player to watch, as he is tied with Joey Larson for 17 shots on goal.

Puck drop for Michigan State and Canisius is set for 7 p.m.