EAST LANSING– Michigan forward Garrett Schifsky broke the tie in the final minute, scoring his second game-winning goal against the Spartans this season to secure the victory for the Wolverines 2-1 Friday evening.
The No. 2 Michigan State and the No. 13 Michigan Wolverines split the first series of the season, and in their last game, the rivals combined for a total of 72 penalty minutes.
Friday’s game was no different, as there were 16 total penalties called. The biggest difference was that the majority were called on the Spartans, as the Green and White spent 31 minutes in the box.
“We can’t take that many penalties, we have to stay out of the box tomorrow,” Spartans’ forward Karsen Dorwart said.
Dorwart’s quick release got the Spartans on the board. After receiving a cross-ice feed from Spartans’ forward Isaac Howard, Dorwart ripped a shot past Wolverines goaltender Cameron Korpi.
Shortly after the Spartans took the 1-0 lead, they committed critical penalties that gave the Wolverines a great chance to tie the game. Spartans’ defenseman Vladislav Lukashevich committed a two-minute interference penalty.
Spartans’ forward Daniel Russell made a hit to the head of a defenseless Michigan player. Russell was awarded a five-minute major alongside a game misconduct for the hit. This meant MSU head coach Adam Nightingale was without his first-line right wing for the final 50 minutes of the rivalry contest.
“Yeah, it’s not ideal but it’s next man up mentality,” Spartans’ forward Joey Larson said.
Wolverines forward T.J. Hughes capitalized on the 5-on-3 advantage, scoring his 13th goal of the season, catching goaltender Trey Augustine off guard with a wide-open back door tap-in.
Without Russell, Spartans’ freshman forward Shane Vansaghi stepped up from the fourth line to play with the first line.
Nightingale was pleased with Vansaghi’s play.
“Shane’s a promising player for sure, he’s competitive, he’s a team guy,” Nightingale said.
Augustine faced an onslaught of breakaway chances from the Wolverines in the second frame, stopping everything that came his way.
The Spartans had their fair share of scoring opportunities in the second, leading shots on goal 20-7 in the middle period but neither team was able to break through, as the game went into the third period tied at one.
“I think their goalie played well and sometimes they’re just not going in for you,” Dorwart said.
The majority of the third period was quiet, with both sides getting scoring chances but nothing getting past either goalie. That was until the final minute of the third, with both teams gearing up for overtime, Michigan’s last chance was successful.
The Spartans will have the opportunity to split the season series against the Wolverines in the Duel in the D in Detroit at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
