EAST LANSING– Michigan State hockey played Ohio State 4-2 at Munn Ice Arena on Friday in the first of a two-game set to begin Big Ten conference play for the Spartans.

Graduate student defenseman Nicklas Andrews got MSU on the board early in the first period with a shot from the blue line that was snuck by Ohio State’s senior goaltender Logan Terness.

The Spartans forecheck was active early, forcing turnovers and making things difficult for the Buckeyes.

MSU head coach Adam Nightingale was pleased with the effort his team showed on the forecheck.

“We’re at our best when we’re on the puck and we’re playing with our knees bent and working,” Nightingale said. 

Nightingale made the decision to start senior captain Red Savage’s line, a line that has been physical but also productive offensively.

“Whoever we feel like will give us the best chance to have a good start and play to our identity and we felt like that line did,” Nightingale said.

Late in the first period, Savage found a loose puck near the front of the net, putting it home to give the Spartans a two-goal lead after 20 minutes of play.

The Spartans began the second period on the penalty kill, but that was no problem for MSU junior left winger Daniel Russell who sniped a one-timer past Terness, courtesy of a two-on-one feed from sophomore defenseman Patrick Geary. 

“When they’re on the power play they are looking to score, not quite looking to lock down defensively. So I think if we can get a quick turnover the other way and make something happen,” Russell said.

OSU stuck around cutting a three-goal deficit to just one with less than ten minutes to go in the third period.

“Just like every good team, like they are, is going to push and we had to hang in there,” Nightingale said.

The Buckeyes elected to empty the net, gaining an extra attacker with two minutes remaining. MSU senior defenseman David Gucciardi sent the puck 190 feet, and with no one there to stop it, Gucciardi scored the game-clinching goal.

The Spartans move to 1-0 in conference play and give OSU their first loss of the season. 

The Spartans look to play OSU on Saturday, Nov. 9  at 6 p.m. at Munn Ice Arena. Catch Matt Merrifield and Allie Cohen on the call on Impact 89 FM.