Sunday, December 29
7 PM
Michigan State University
14-2-1
2
vs
0
Northern Michigan
1-17-1
1
2
3
F
Northern Mich.
0
0
0
0
Michigan St.
2
0
0
2
Spartans Advance to GLI Final with 2-0 Win Over NMU
12/30/2024 12:24:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Grand Rapids, Mich. – No. 1 Michigan State returned from holiday break with a 2-0 victory over Northern Michigan on Sunday in the semifinals of the 58th Great Lakes Invitational.
Sophomore Luca Di Pasquo got the start in net and earned his second shutout of the season with 16 saves. MSU outshot the Wildcats 48-16 in the game, which was played without a penalty assessed to either team.
Both Spartan goals were scored in the first period - Karsen Dorwart opened the scoring at 10:27, putting back a rebound on a sharp angle for his fourth goal of the season. Isaac Howard followed at 12:40, forcing a turnover at the defensive blue line and splitting defenders as he wnt in alone and doubled the MSU lead.
In addition to the combined 46 saves by NMU goalies Ryan Oullette (41) and Ethan Barwick (5), the Wildcats blocked 23 Spartan shots. MSU blocked seven shots in the game, led by two by Tiernan Shoudy.
The Spartans (14-2-1, 6-1-1 B1G) will play No. 6 Western Michigan in the GLI finals on Monday at 7 pm. The Broncos knocked off Michigan Tech, 4-3 in overtime, in the day's first semifinal.
STATISTICS OF NOTE
PERIOD RECAPS
First Period: Both teams had goals taken off the board following video review in the first eight minutes of the game. MSU got the first goal that stayed on the scoreboard at 10:27. Joey Larson had a couple of attempts from the slot that were saved, but Karsen Dorwart's sharp-angle shot from below the right circle found its mark for the junior's fourth of the year. Isaac Howard doubled the MSU lead at 12:40, forcing a turnover at the defensive blueline, skating between three defensemen, and going in alone on Ouellette to beat the goalie top right corner. MSU outshot Northern 14-3 in the opening stanza.
Second Period: The teams played through a mostly scoreless second period – the Wildcats did a decent job in their own zone of being disruptive and got 19 saves from Oullette to keep it a 2-0 game. NMU's best chance came on a point-blank shot by Zach Michaelis with just under five minutes remaining. Oullette came up with a pair of impressive saves on Howard and one on Savage to do his part on impressive individual efforts. He also stoned Daniel Russell on a backhand attempt with just 2:32 remaining. MSU outshot the Wildcats 19-8 in the second frame.
Third Period: The third period was much like the second frame – MSU was generating shots and chances, but Ouellette was up to the task to keep it within striking distance. Oullette exited the game with 4:56 to play in favor of backup Ethan Barwick, and he made five saves over the balance of the contest. The Wildcats put Barwick on the bench for the final 2:16 in favor of an extra skater.
Sophomore Luca Di Pasquo got the start in net and earned his second shutout of the season with 16 saves. MSU outshot the Wildcats 48-16 in the game, which was played without a penalty assessed to either team.
Both Spartan goals were scored in the first period - Karsen Dorwart opened the scoring at 10:27, putting back a rebound on a sharp angle for his fourth goal of the season. Isaac Howard followed at 12:40, forcing a turnover at the defensive blue line and splitting defenders as he wnt in alone and doubled the MSU lead.
In addition to the combined 46 saves by NMU goalies Ryan Oullette (41) and Ethan Barwick (5), the Wildcats blocked 23 Spartan shots. MSU blocked seven shots in the game, led by two by Tiernan Shoudy.
The Spartans (14-2-1, 6-1-1 B1G) will play No. 6 Western Michigan in the GLI finals on Monday at 7 pm. The Broncos knocked off Michigan Tech, 4-3 in overtime, in the day's first semifinal.
STATISTICS OF NOTE
- MSU advances to the GLI championship for the second straight season.
- The Spartans shut out an opponent for the fourth time in 17 games. Both sophomore goalies – Trey Augustine and Luca Di Pasquo – have two each.
- Neither team was assessed a penalty in the game. It was the first time since Dec. 3, 2022, when MSU and No. 4/1 Minnesota skated through a penalty-free contest.
- MSU blocked seven shots in the game, led by two by Tiernan Shoudy. NMU blocked more MSU shots (23) than it attempted in the game (16).
- Di Pasquo made his third start of the season and recorded his second shutout, stopping 16 shots. He has shutouts in each of his last two starts and a scoreless streak of 153:56 - in addition to his blankings of Lindenwood (Dec. 1) and NMU, he did not allow a goal in the final 33:56 at Canisius (Oct. 26).
- Isaac Howard's first-period goal was his 10th of the season, extending his single-season career best. He is one of four double-digit goal scorers in the Big Ten. David Gucciardi picked up the assist, his second of the season.
- Karsen Dorwart got MSU's first of the game in the first period, his fourth of the season. Joey Larson (3) and Austin Oravetz (1) picked up assists.
Dorwart's fourth of the year comes on a sharp angle from below the right circle. Apples to Larson and Oravetz. pic.twitter.com/VjkpLzOMPg
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) December 30, 2024
PERIOD RECAPS
First Period: Both teams had goals taken off the board following video review in the first eight minutes of the game. MSU got the first goal that stayed on the scoreboard at 10:27. Joey Larson had a couple of attempts from the slot that were saved, but Karsen Dorwart's sharp-angle shot from below the right circle found its mark for the junior's fourth of the year. Isaac Howard doubled the MSU lead at 12:40, forcing a turnover at the defensive blueline, skating between three defensemen, and going in alone on Ouellette to beat the goalie top right corner. MSU outshot Northern 14-3 in the opening stanza.
Pick a pocket, force a turnover, split the D, upper right corner.
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) December 30, 2024
Kinda pretty. pic.twitter.com/gH5mBcfVIS
Second Period: The teams played through a mostly scoreless second period – the Wildcats did a decent job in their own zone of being disruptive and got 19 saves from Oullette to keep it a 2-0 game. NMU's best chance came on a point-blank shot by Zach Michaelis with just under five minutes remaining. Oullette came up with a pair of impressive saves on Howard and one on Savage to do his part on impressive individual efforts. He also stoned Daniel Russell on a backhand attempt with just 2:32 remaining. MSU outshot the Wildcats 19-8 in the second frame.
Third Period: The third period was much like the second frame – MSU was generating shots and chances, but Ouellette was up to the task to keep it within striking distance. Oullette exited the game with 4:56 to play in favor of backup Ethan Barwick, and he made five saves over the balance of the contest. The Wildcats put Barwick on the bench for the final 2:16 in favor of an extra skater.
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Team Stats
NMU
MSU
Shots
16
48
PPG
0
0
SHG
0
0
Penalties
0
0
Penalty Mins
0
0
Faceoffs Won
29
41
Game Leaders
Skaters
+/-
1
Goals
1
Sh
8
A
0
+/-
2
Goals
1
Sh
2
A
0
+/-
2
Goals
0
Sh
3
A
1
+/-
1
Goals
0
Sh
1
A
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Ice Hockey
G
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F
/ Men's Ice Hockey
D
/ Men's Ice Hockey
F
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D
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F
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F
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