College Hockey Game of the Week: No. 3 Michigan State vs. No. 15

One of the biggest series of the week in college hockey takes place between one of the best offenses in the nation against one of the best netminders in the league.

The No. 15 Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0-1) have been off to a red-hot start on the year. The only game that they failed to win in regulation was their tie against American International in the second game of the year.

No. 3 Michigan State’s (5-1) only loss this season came at the hand of the team ranked right ahead of them, Boston College. They split that series against the Eagles losing 3-0 in Game 1 and then rebounding with a 4-3 victory.

What happens when two of the most potent teams in the Big Ten match up in a huge contest for rights to the top of the conference, there will be fireworks.

Ohio State and Michigan State both played Lake Superior State this season and both teams were able to sweep in convincing fashion.

One of the biggest forces in this matchup is the extraordinary Trey Augustine.

In the five games besides the series against BC, Augustine has given up three goals in the other five games this season. He has only given up eight total goals through six games this season which is astounding.

The offensive production is also strong from the Spartans to start the year.

Both Isaac Howard and Daniel Russell have had an outstanding six games so far this season, each tallying four goals along with seven combined assists.

And based on how the Buckeyes played in the latest series against a pedestrian Lake Superior State team, things are looking up for them as well.

15 goals were scored in the two games against Lake Superior, including a 9-3 victory in the first matchup followed by a 6-2 win in the second game.

17 different players for Ohio State have scored a goal this season, led by Max Montes who has six through the team's first few weeks of games.

The Buckeyes will have to constantly put pressure on the goalkeeping of Michigan State if they want any chance in this series.

It was a year ago that Penn State and Ohio State were at the bottom of the conference due to their youth, and now it appears that those young bucks are fully ready to play and attack the Big Ten.

The Big Ten for hockey has exploded onto the scene this year and there are many signs that point to this happening.

Six teams are in the USCHO poll this year including the two squads that are squaring off this weekend at the Schottenheim Center.

The Big Ten has three matchups this weekend that will also be interesting to keep your eye on this weekend.

A ranked matchup in Ann Arbor will also be a key series as the No. 20 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish head to take on the No. 7 Michigan Wolverines in a tight battle.

No. 2 Minnesota takes on a struggling 1-5 Wisconsin team also in the slate this weekend, which will be a make-or-break series for the Badgers already this season.

Giustino Racchini is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him please email him at gar5448@psu.edu.