Lansing Sun

Michigan State's hockey team is set to face the US National Team Development Program (USNTDP) in an exhibition match on Thursday, November 21, at 7 p.m. The game will take place at the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth. This marks the 19th meeting between the two teams, with Michigan State holding an 11-7 advantage in previous encounters.

Five current Spartans have ties to the USNTDP, having played their junior hockey there. These players include sophomore goalie Trey Augustine, juniors Isaac Howard and Charlie Stramel, senior captain Red Savage, and freshman Shane Vansaghi. Additionally, Adam Nightingale, Michigan State's head coach, previously led Team USA from 2020 to 2022.

In a gesture of solidarity and support for cancer awareness, Michigan State is sponsoring its third annual Spartans Full Strength program throughout November. The initiative aims to honor those affected by cancer. This year, MSU hockey is collaborating with the Stephen Swistak Memorial Fund and supporting Matt and Kelly Deschamps' family. Steve Swistak was a former Spartan who passed away from esophageal cancer in 2015. Matt Deschamps is an assistant coach at the University of Michigan whose wife Kelly has been diagnosed with Stage III inflammatory breast cancer. A portion of every ticket sold for Thursday's game will be donated to assist the Deschamps family.

Michigan State recently opened Big Ten play with a successful four-game homestand against Ohio State and Notre Dame. They achieved victories over Ohio State (4-2, 4-1) and Notre Dame (8-3, 4-3), marking their first perfect start in Big Ten play since the league's inception in 2013-14.

The Spartans are currently on a seven-game winning streak, their longest since the 2007-08 season when they won eight consecutive games after losing their opener against North Dakota. Their winning percentage (.900) ranks them third nationally behind Denver and Dartmouth.

Seventeen players contributed points during the Notre Dame series, with eleven players scoring two or more points each. Shane Vansaghi was recognized as the Big Ten Third Star of the Week following his performance against Notre Dame.

Trey Augustine continues to impress as a goaltender with a goals-against average of 1.89 and a save percentage of .931. He remains a candidate for his third World Junior Championship appearance later this year.

Following Thursday's exhibition game against USNTDP, Michigan State will return to Munn Ice Arena for a series against Lindenwood next weekend before facing Wisconsin and Minnesota in December.