MSU hockey hosts No. 16 UMass-Lowell: Three things to watch

The season's second weekend brings a bigger challenge for the Michigan State hockey team.

After opening with a series split against Bowling Green, MSU now hosts 16th-ranked UMass-Lowell of the Hockey East conference for games on Thursday and Friday night. MSU played at Lowell last season, tying the River Hawks in the first game before suffering a shutout loss the next night.

"These guys have worked really hard, and the brand of hockey we are trying to play isn't an easy one," MSU coach Adam Nightingale said. "You have to be in really good shape, thinking on the ice all the time and practicing that way all the time. Saturday's game was a good time to reward the guys. They showed a lot of poise and it's huge to have some positive reinforcement with a win."

Here are three things to watch for as the Spartans host Lowell this week in their second non-conference series of the season.

Scouting the River Hawks

Lowell comes in sporting a 2-1 record, fresh off a home series split with Miami (Ohio).

The River Hawks are strong defensively and have gotten the majority of their offensive production from their top line, led by captain and senior forward Carl Berglund, who has three goals and an assist through three games.

"They are a big team and I remember them being really tough to play against," MSU senior forward Eric Middendorf said. "They're a good team and I expect them to be again this year, but with our speed and our ability to transition, we'll see if they can handle that. Playing at Lowell last year, it felt we were a little stuck in the mud, but at home, with the confidence we have, I'm excited for the matchup this year."

MSU's biggest challenge will be trying to get inside offensively against a stout back line, and even if MSU can accomplish that, it'll have to get past Lowell goaltender Gustav Davis Grigalls. The Alaska-Fairbanks transfer is 2-0, including a shutout win in the River Hawks' season opener against St. Lawrence.

A change in philosophy

It's only two games into the 2022-23 season, but there is already a noticeable difference in the way MSU plans to operate offensively. Nightingale uses three words to describe it – smart, fast and hard.

"We want to play smart with and without the puck, fast with and without the puck, and hard with and without the puck," Nightingale said. "We are really trying to make teams play on their heels, and so when you play as a five-man unit without the puck, the game becomes a little more predictable. For us, it's all about trying to get to the inside offensively."

MSU had 39 or more shots on three occasions last season. It had 39 last Friday, then followed it up with 42 shots on goal in last Saturday's win. It's evident Nightingale wants this team to funnel more pucks to the net, rather than the dump-and-chase style that MSU has played in recent years.

That starts with speed, entering the offensive zone fast and with purpose, then battling to get inside to create quality scoring chances with traffic in front of the net. The conditioning regimen throughout the offseason has allowed MSU to play this way with effectiveness for a full three periods – at least so far.

"We got in really good shape in the summer just to make sure we were able to play fast and that's exactly what we are doing," Middendorf said. "We're smothering teams, and with Bowling Green, they were gassed after the first period. I think with how fast we play and how we train, we're ready to go end to end with anyone. The quickness in our game now and ability to create offense fast and off the rush is creating success for us."

Freshman Daniel Russell led MSU in the opening weekend with two goals, while junior Nash Nienhuis had a pair of assists and seven shots on goal.

Blue line getting stronger

MSU's defense corps was depleted against Bowling Green, missing three potential starters in the Friday loss before getting fifth-year senior Christian Krygier back for Saturday's win.

Even with some regulars out, MSU allowed just two even-strength goals on Friday and in Saturday's win limited BGSU to just 17 shots and one power-play goal.

Defense was expected to be one of the strengths for the Spartans with a good mix of veterans and youthful skill. And with sophomore David Gucciardi expected in the lineup for the first time after recovering from an illness, the blue line looks to take another step forward.

"I think we were good last weekend with moving pucks and defending well, and it's a pretty experienced D-corps we have back there," graduate-transfer defenseman Michael Underwood said. "Getting (Gucciardi) back will only make us better and more competitive."

If they are able limit Lowell's shots on goaltender Dylan St. Cyr like they did at BGSU, the Spartans should have a good chance at least earn a series split with the River Hawks.

The two teams will face off at 7 p.m. Thursday at Munn Arena, while Friday's game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.. Friday night will include a ceremony honoring MSU's 2007 national championship team.

Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @Nathaniel_Bott

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU hockey hosts UMass-Lowell: Three things to watch