Spartans Seize GLI Championship Glory; Di Pasquo Named MVP

Grand Rapids, Mich. –  No. 1 Michigan State netted a duo of third-period goals to secure a 3-1 triumph over No. 4 Western Michigan on Monday night during the finals of the Great Lakes Invitational. This marks MSU’s inaugural title since 2009, enhancing their record to 15-2-1 as they complete 2024. 
 
The squads remained deadlocked through the first and second periods, with the Broncos holding a 22-20 advantage in shots. The teams exchanged goals just 11 seconds apart in the initial period – a power play goal from Zach Nehring granted Western Michigan its sole lead, but Tiernan Shoudy found the net at 11:52 to equalize. The teams carried the 1-1 score into the second intermission after a scoreless middle frame, where Western outshot MSU 15-10. 
 
The third period kicked off energetically for MSU with nine rapid shots on goal before the clock reached the 10-minute mark. The Spartans tallied the only goals of the third period, one four minutes in by Joey Larson, and a second from Isaac Howard at 14:56.
 
Netminder Luca Di Pasquo conceded just one goal across both matches of the GLI, setting a season-high with 29 saves, earning him MVP recognition. He was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Larson and Howard. 
 
MSU faces a quick turnaround, as they will host Wisconsin on Thursday at Munn Ice Arena. 
 
 
 
KEY STATISTICS

• MSU claimed its first GLI title since the 2009-10 campaign. The Spartans fell in a shootout following a 3-3 tie with Michigan Tech in the previous year’s final. They now hold a 52-41-5 all-time record in this tournament.
• Today’s GLI final occurred exactly 20 years after then-junior alternate captain Adam Nightingale and the Spartans won a GLI title in 2004.
• MSU has now gone 3-1-0 against teams ranked in the top five of the national polls this season. They’ve secured two victories against then-No. 1 Minnesota and split against No. 2 Boston College at home. WMU ascended to No. 4 in the national polls on Monday afternoon.
• After a clean semifinal against Northern Michigan on Sunday, both teams incurred two minor penalties on Monday. Western scored its only goal while on a power play.
• Luca Di Pasquo’s shutout streak, which extended back to the second period of the Canisius game on October 26, was broken at 165:37 with Western’s first-period power play goal. His only other goal allowed prior to that point of the season also resulted from a power play against the Griffins.
• Di Pasquo achieved a seasonal high with 29 saves. He has permitted only two goals in four complete games this year, and neither were during even-strength play.
• Tiernan Shoudy netted his third goal of the season in the first period, bringing him to a 3-5-7 scoring tally. Assists came from his linemates Tommi Mannisto (his third) and Tanner Kelly (his sixth).
• Joey Larson’s goal was recognized as the game-winner in the third period, and he contributed an assist on Isaac Howard’s late goal.
• Red Savage, David Gucciardi and Charlie Stramel all had individual assists on the scores in the third period.

PERIOD SUMMARIES

First Period:  Both teams aimed to assert dominance early in the contest, with limited scoring opportunities on both ends.  MSU committed a penalty at 10:19, which was its first of the tournament, prompting their penalty kill into action. A minute later, Grant Slukynsky’s shot from the right side was redirected in front by Zach Nehring for a 1-0 lead.  MSU quickly responded.  Following the faceoff, Tanner Kelly received a pass from Nicklas Andrews and sent Männistö into the offensive zone with a stretch pass.  Männistö sped past the blue line and through the slot, releasing a backhand shot that was saved by Rowe, while Shoudy was perfectly positioned to tip the rebound home from midair at the right post to equalize.  MSU maintained a narrow 10-7 advantage in shots.

 

 

Second Period:  The second period commenced with the Broncos spending extensive time in their offensive zone, outshooting MSU 4-0 in the initial five minutes.  The Spartans appeared to take a 2-1 advantage at 7:29 with a clever pass from Isaac Howard along the left wall to Daniel Russell out front, but an officials’ review ruled the puck had been kicked in. With just under three minutes remaining, Cameron Rowe had to make a series of saves to maintain the tie.  Overall, the Broncos outshot MSU 15-10 in this period, yet no team could convert on the scoreboard.

Grand Rapids, Mich. –  No. 1 Michigan State  secured a pair of third-period goals for a 3-1 win over No. 4 Western Michigan on Monday night during the Great Lakes Invitational finals. This represents MSU’s first title since 2009, enhancing their record to 15-2-1 as they wrap up 2024. 

 

The teams were tied through the first and second periods, with the Broncos holding a 22-20 edge in shots. The teams exchanged goals just 11 seconds apart in the opening period — a power play strike by Zach Nehring gave Western Michigan its sole lead, but Tiernan Shoudy scored at 11:52 to tie the contest. The teams entered the second intermission with a 1-1 score after a scoreless middle frame, where Western outshot MSU 15-10. 

 

The third period began vigorously for MSU with nine quick shots on goal before reaching the 10-minute mark. The Spartans scored the only goals of the third period, one from Joey Larson four minutes in, and an insurance tally from Isaac Howard at 14:56.

 

Goaltender Luca Di Pasquo surrendered just one goal across both GLI contests, achieving a personal best with 29 saves and receiving MVP accolades. He was accompanied on the All-Tournament Team by Larson and Howard. 

 

MSU faces a quick turnaround, with a match against Wisconsin scheduled for Thursday at Munn Ice Arena. 

 

 

 

KEY STATISTICS

• MSU claimed its first GLI title since the 2009-10 season. The Spartans experienced a loss in a shootout after drawing 3-3 with Michigan Tech in last season’s final. They are currently at 52-41-5 historically in this tournament. 
• Today’s GLI final marked 20 years since then-junior alternate captain Adam Nightingale and the Spartans secured a GLI title in 2004.
• MSU holds a record of 3-1-0 against teams ranked in the top five of this season’s national polls. The Spartans achieved two wins over then-No. 1 Minnesota and split their home games with No. 2 Boston College. WMU advanced to No. 4 in the national poll on Monday afternoon.
• Following a penalty-free semifinal against Northern Michigan on Sunday, both teams faced two minor penalties on Monday. Western scored its only goal during a power play.
• Luca Di Pasquo’s shutout streak, which began with the second period of the Canisius game on October 26, concluded at 165:37 after Western scored during a power play in the first period. His only other goal permitted before that season point also came from a power play against the Griffins.
• Di Pasquo recorded a season-high of 29 saves. He has conceded only two goals in four complete matches this season, with neither coming during five-on-five play.
• Tiernan Shoudy registered his third goal of the season in the initial period, elevating him to a 3-5-7 scoring line.  Assists were credited to linemates Tommi Mannisto (his third) and Tanner Kelly (his sixth).
• Joey Larson’s goal was deemed the game-winner during the third period, and he provided an assist on Isaac Howard’s late-game goal.
• Red  Savage, David Gucciardi and Charlie Stramel all contributed individual assists during the third-period scores.

PERIOD SUMMARIES

First Period:  Both squads aimed to assert themselves early in the match, resulting in minimal scoring opportunities on either side.  MSU incurred a penalty at 10:19, which was their first of the tournament, prompting their penalty kill to get activated. One minute in, Grant Slukynsky’s shot from the right side was redirected by Zach Nehring in front for a 1-0 advantage.  MSU quickly generated a response.  Following the faceoff, Tanner Kelly received a pass from Nicklas Andrews and sent Männistö into the offensive zone with a long pass. Männistö sprinted across the blue line and through the slot, releasing a backhander that Rowe saved, while Shoudy was positioned to tip in the rebound out of midair at the right post to level the score.  MSU enjoyed a slight 10-7 advantage in shots on goal.

 

 

Second Period:  The second period commenced with the Broncos managing several extended possessions in their offensive territory, outshooting MSU 4-0 in the initial five minutes.  The Spartans appeared to gain a 2-1 lead at 7:29 with a brilliant feed from Isaac Howard along the left wall to Daniel Russell, stationed out front, but an official review determined that the puck was kicked in. With under three minutes left, Cameron Rowe had to scramble to make a series of saves to keep the score tied.  Overall, the Broncos outshot MSU 15-10 in this frame, yet neither team was able to convert on the scoreboard.

on Monday. Western netted its solitary goal with the manpower advantage.

PERIOD RECAPS

First Period: Both teams aimed to assert themselves early in the match, encountering limited scoring opportunities at both ends. MSU incurred a penalty at 10:19, its first in the tournament, activating the PK. A minute later, Grant Slukynsky’s shot from the right side was deflected in front by Zach Nehring, giving Western a 1-0 advantage. MSU quickly responded. Following the faceoff, Tanner Kelly received a pass from Nicklas Andrews and launched Männistö into the offensive zone with a stretch pass. Männistö dashed across the blue line and through the slot, delivering a backhander on net that Rowe managed to save, while Shoudy was present to deflect the rebound out of midair at the right post, equalizing the game. MSU held a narrow 10-7 lead in shots on goal.



Second Period: The second period commenced with the Broncos dominating long stretches in their offensive zone, outshooting MSU 4-0 in the initial five minutes of the period. The Spartans seemed to have gained a 2-1 lead at 7:29 from a sharp pass by Isaac Howard on the left wall to Daniel Russell in front, but officials determined that the puck was kicked in. As the clock wound down under three minutes, Cameron Rowe had to scramble to make a series of saves to maintain the tie. In total, the Broncos outshot MSU 15-10 in the period, yet neither team could find the back of the net.



Third Period: MSU burst onto the ice in the third period, outshooting the Broncos 9-0 during the first nine minutes of the frame. This led to a go-ahead goal from Joey Larson at 3:54. Nicklas Andrews passed the puck to David Gucciardi at the left side of the high slot, whose shot navigated through traffic but was blocked by Rowe. Following a scramble in front, Joey Larson managed to get a stick on it, scoring his sixth goal of the season. Isaac Howard provided MSU with some breathing space at 14:56, scoring on another goalmouth scramble that landed on his stick for his team-leading 11^th goal of the season. MSU outshot Western 15-8 in the concluding stretch.