Michigan State has arrived to the NCAA Tournament in Worcester, Massachusetts as a No. 1 seed, looking to pave their way to the Frozen Four for the first time in the Adam Nightingale era in East Lansing. The road starts with the Spartans facing off with the No. 4 seeded UConn Huskies, a member of the Hockey East Conference.
With the afternoon game opening the tournament, the Spartans looked to survive and advance, and they achieved that task. MSU downed UConn, 2-1, earning their spot in the Worcester Regional Final.
Follow how the game went between the Spartans and Huskies:
Final: Michigan State 2, UConn 1
The Spartans hold. Survive and advance, and the Spartans will be moving on for a chance to play for a spot in the Frozen Four.
1:22 3P: Michigan State 2, UConn 1
Timeout UConn. Net is empty, and the Spartans are going to get the Huskies best push after this break.
2:30 3P: Michigan State 2, UConn 1
The final media break of the game, and the Spartans lead by a goal with 150 seconds remaining. The Huskies will surely be pulling their goaltender soon, and the Spartans will need to hold strong.
7:18 3P: Michigan State 2, UConn 1
Spartans can’t capitalize on a power play, and a couple of grade-A chances that followed, but still hold their one goal advantage as the final stretch of regulation begins.
12:36 3P: Michigan State 2, UConn 1
Michigan State has withstood the Huskies push thus far, but need to continue to push into the offensive zone to keep the pressure off of Augustine.
End of Period 2: Michigan State 2, UConn 1
The Spartans take the lead in the second, despite a plethora of penalties in the period from MSU. UConn leads shots on goal 31-17, although the Spartans hold a 26-17 faceoff advantage.
4:50 2P: Michigan State 2, UConn 1
Michigan State going on another penalty kill, not being able to stay out of the box, and will need to try and kill off another penalty.
8:04 2P: Michigan State 2, UConn 1
Playing 4-on-4 hockey, Michigan State capitalized on a UConn turnover to take their first lead of the game. Porter Martone scores on a beautiful one-timer from a Tiernan Shoudy pass.
9:52 2P: Michigan State 1, UConn 1
This game stays tied at the under-10 media timeout. Back-and-forth action continuing, with some continuity of five on five play.
13:59 2P: Michigan State 1, UConn 1
Daniel Russell gets tripped, and is given a penalty shot, but can’t convert. The game stays tied.
End of Period 1: Michigan State 1, UConn 1
Spartans get outshot 18-8, take three penalties to UConn’s one, but the score is ultimately tied at the intermission.
1:05 1P: Michigan State 1, UConn 1
After killing off their third penalty of the period, the Spartans got to go on their first power play of the game, and they took advantage. Ryker Lee gets the power play marker, unassisted.
4:33 1P: UConn 1, Michigan State 0
Michigan State kills their second penalty of the period, but a rush quickly after gives the Huskies a lead. Terrible rebound control from Trey Augustine and UConn makes him pay late in the first.
9:17 1P: Michigan State 0, UConn 0
As we hit another TV timeout, we are still going back and forth with the game scoreless.
12:42 1P: Michigan State 0, UConn 0
Spartans kill an early penalty, with nothing else going for either team. Back and forth action to start this one.
Delayed start
The game is going to be starting a few minutes late, with the maintenance crew needing to replace glass along the boards. New gametime is set for 1:50 p.m.
How to Watch
Start Time: 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday
Watch: ESPN2
Listen: Spartan Media Network (link)
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State hockey vs. UConn: Score updates, highlights and more
Reporting by Cory Linsner, Spartans Wire / Spartans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
