Michigan and Michigan State’s hockey teams will write a new chapter in their storied rivalry on Sunday night.
The two teams will meet in the NCAA Tournament for the first time, and it’s with a trip to the Frozen Four on the line. Puck drop for the Maryland Heights, Mo., NCAA regional final is at 6:30 p.m. at Centene Community Ice Center, and the game will air on ESPN2.
- Watch Michigan hockey on FuboTV (7-day free trial)
The Wolverines (22-14-3), the No. 3 seed in the region, edged No. 2 seed North Dakota 4-3 Friday to advance, while the top-seeded Spartans (25-9-3) rallied from two goals down in the third period to beat No. 4 seed Western Michigan in overtime in the other semifinal.
Michigan owns a 176-142-24 record all time against the Spartans, but MSU leads the season series 4-1, winning the past four meetings. That includes the Big Ten championship on March 23 -- a 5-4 overtime victory at Munn Ice Arena.
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It has been a magical season for the Spartans, who are in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012 and haven’t reached the Frozen Four since winning the national championship in 2007.
The Wolverines haven’t won it all since 1998 but have reached the national semifinals eight times since then. They are the third-highest scoring team in the country this season and boast the Big Ten’s top six scorers, led by top-40 NHL draft picks Rutger McGroarty (52 points) and Gavin Brindley (51 points).
RELATED: More OT heroics lift Michigan State hockey into NCAA regional final vs. Michigan
MSU averages 3.92 goals per game -- good for sixth in the country -- and its scoring comes throughout its lineup. Ten players have at least 22 points, with Tampa Lightning first-round pick Isaac Howard, Artyom Levshunov, the Big Ten defenseman and freshman of the year, and sophomore forward Karsen Dorwart leading the way with 35 points each.
RELATED: Michigan, MSU not concerned about playing NCAA regional at small arena
Game information
- Who: No. 1 seed Michigan State Spartans vs. No. 3 seed Michigan Wolverines
- When: Sunday, March 31, 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Centene Community Ice Center (Maryland Heights, Mo.)
How To Watch
TV Network: ESPN2
Streaming options: FuboTV (Free Trial), Sling, DirecTV Stream, ESPN+