College Hockey Series of the Week: No. 2 Boston College vs. No. 4 Michigan State

This weekend, college hockey fans are in for a thrilling early-season matchup as No. 4 Michigan State hosts No. 2 Boston College for a two-game series at Munn Ice Arena.

These programs have a notable history, having met 30 times before, with Michigan State holding a 17-12-1 advantage. However, Boston College has dominated the most recent meetings, winning the last five matchups, including two games last October. In those games, the Eagles outscored the Spartans 11-5.

Boston College, after finishing the 2023 season with a 34-6-1 record and a loss to Denver in the National Championship, opens its season this weekend, with aspirations of making another deep postseason run.

On the other hand, Michigan State is coming off a strong 2023-24 season, finishing with a 25-10-3 record and a Big Ten Championship. The Spartans enter this series 2-0 to start the year, after sweeping Lake Superior State last weekend.

The Spartans first two games featured standout performances from key players like Isaac Howard and Daniel Russell, who were both named Big Ten Stars of the Week after last weekend’s victories.

Howard recorded five points over the two games, while Russell scored game-winning goals in both contests, further establishing himself as the closer for the Spartans. In goal, Michigan State has relied on freshman netminder Trey Augustine, who has been stellar so far. Augustine posted 25 saves in each of the two wins over Lake Superior State.

Head coach Adam Nightingale has been instrumental in Michigan State's recent success. Under his leadership, Michigan State captured both the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles last year, earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

The Spartans also made a strong postseason push, just missing out on the Frozen Four. Nightingale’s ability to modernize the team's style of play and revamp its strength and conditioning program, along with making key hires like associate head coach Jared DeMichiel, has transformed the Spartans into a much faster, more competitive squad.

Meanwhile, Boston College is also led by a head coach with deep ties to its program. Greg Brown has been entrusted with maintaining its status as a perennial powerhouse in college hockey. After falling just short in the national championship last year, Brown is entering his third year at the helm.

His ability to connect with top-tier talent has seriously paid off, as BC’s roster is loaded with highly touted prospects and returning stars. The Eagles have one of the nation’s best recruiting classes and are led by a core of experienced players hungry to return to the championship stage.

This weekend’s series is more than just an early-season battle; it could serve as a preview of potential postseason matchups. With both teams eyeing deep runs in the NCAA tournament, the stakes are high. For Michigan State, it's a chance to prove they belong in the upper echelon of college hockey, while Boston College looks to start their season on the right foot and continue their dominance over the Spartans.

The puck drops at 6 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday at Munn Ice Arena, with Friday’s game televised on the Big Ten Network and Saturday’s contest available on B1G+.

Joseph Granton is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism.To contact him, email jlg6619@psu.edu.