No. 3 Hockey Defeated in Big Ten Tournament Semifinals

Saturday, March 14

East Lansing, Mich.

7:30 PM

Michigan State University

25-8-2

Ohio State

14-20-2

OT 1

Ohio St.

Michigan St.

Photo by: Michael Caples

3/15/2026 12:30:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey

Box Score

EAST LANSING, Mich. – No. 3/3-ranked Michigan State hockey played its final game of the season at Ron Mason Rink at Munn Ice Arena on Saturday night, falling to Ohio State, 3-2, in overtime of the 2026 Big Ten Tournament semifinals. The Spartans, firmly in the Field of 16, await their NCAA Tournament destination, set to be revealed next Sunday night.

"One heck of a hockey game," said Michigan State Head Coach Adam Nightingale. "I feel bad, we couldn't get it done. Our fans have been awesome all year and I thought the crowd was great and you know, we've been on the other side of that. Went into overtime, unfortunately tonight's not one of those nights. So now, we just talk to the team quick. We'll meet on Monday and this doesn't change how we feel about our team. I think we have a heck of a hockey team, and I look forward to the tournament."

MSU moves to 25-8-2 overall while Ohio State improved to 14-20-2 on the season.

The Spartans out-shot OSU, 38-31, and the teams were dead-even on the face-off dot at 38-38. Each side saw success on the power play with Michigan State going 1-for-2, while killing 2-of-3 Buckeye man advantages. Junior goaltender Trey Augustine made 28 saves in goal on 31 shots faced for a .903 save percentage.

Sophomore Shane Vansaghi and freshman Porter Martone did the scoring for MSU, each scoring on one-timers from the wing. Senior Daniel Russell, junior Gavin O'Connell and freshman Ryker Lee collected assists on Saturday night.

How It Happened
Vansaghi opened the scoring just 1:56 into the contest scoring on a one-timer from left circle. A Buckeyes turnover in the neutral zone found the stick of O'Connell who made the cross-ice pass to an open Vansaghi. Ohio State leveled the score at 1-1 9:03 into the period.

Shane Vansaghi gives us a 1-0 lead on the one-timer! pic.twitter.com/CgYQ1ewGG5
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) March 14, 2026

Late minor penalties by each team at the conclusion of the first period saw the second start at 4-on-4. The Spartans were whistled for tripping off the opening face-off to give OSU a 4-on-3 power play just five seconds in. Ohio State capitalized on the 4-on-3 scoring a power play goal 1:35 into the period to lead 2-1.

Michigan State found its equalizer late in the second, scoring on its second power play of the night. Lee no-looked a pass to Russell waiting near the crease, who made a cross-ice pass to Martone waiting on the wing for a one-timer for his 24th goal of the season. The goal moves Martone into a tie for the second-most goals by a freshman in program history alongside Joe Murphy (1985-86).

Power play goal for Porter Martone makes it 2-2! pic.twitter.com/VM0QqD6Qgn
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) March 15, 2026

Ohio State started the third period on a 5-on-4 power play which later became a 5-on-3 with 37 seconds remaining on the original penalty. MSU killed both Buckeye power plays to start the third, keeping the score tied at 2-2. Michigan State had several grade-A chances on goal in the third thanks to a number of odd-men rushes but were unable to bury a game-winner, forcing overtime.

The Spartans put three shots on goal in the overtime period, but all were saved by the Buckeye goaltender. OSU scored the game-winning goal 2:36 into the sudden victory period off a one-timer from Felix Caron.