EAST LANSING – Michigan State hockey officially starts their season Thursday and Friday Oct. 9-10, with a two-game home series against the University of New Hampshire at Munn Ice Arena.
The Spartans wasted no time showing their offensive power in a dominant 4-0 exhibition win over Windsor; Freshman forward Porter Martone lit the lamp just 35 seconds into the contest. Martone, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, recorded an assist later in the night to start his Spartans career with a two-point game.
Familiar faces in forwards Tommi Männistö and Charlie Stramel both found the back of the net, and freshman forward Ryker Lee put on a show for the Munnsters with a dazzling move to get around Windsor defender to record his first goal as a Spartan.
The Spartans outshot Windsor 45-23, scoring three goals in the 2nd period. Defensively, the Spartans looked strong as Trey Augustine and Melvin Strahl combined for a shutout, with Strahl recording 11 saves alone in the 3rd period. Credit to the defensive effort of the Spartans, five different players recorded a blocked shot throughout the contest.
This week, Michigan State turns its focus to New Hampshire, a program undergoing a roster overhaul. UNH head coach Mike Souza added 14 new players to the Wildcats’ lineup for the 2025-26 season, which includes a mix of CHL and NCAA transfers. Alex Carr, the winner of the 2024-25 QMJHL Best Defenseman award, has paired up with experienced goaltender Kyle Chauvette, who set a single-game saves record at Union College with 62 stops. Up front, Sam Oliver and Jacob Newcombe ran the show, both of whom were prolific scorers in the QMJHL.
The Wildcats will open their season in East Lansing after a preseason scrimmage against Maine, where New Hampshire won the contest in a shootout, 2-1. Using the overtime victory as momentum, the Wildcats aim to play spoiler and upset the Spartans’ home opener.
That will not come easily, however, as the Spartans’ roster runs deep, and the new faces from the CHL continue to build their chemistry with their new teammates. Captain Matt Basgall will lead by example and have his defense play fast to match the quick and aggressive nature Souza loves to preach.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Thursday and 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday at Munn Ice Arena. Both games will have live radio coverage and in-game updates provided by Impact 89FM (WDBM).
