Spartan Showdown: Wisconsin Battle Kicks Off 2025 Season!

THE ORIGINAL SIX

The essential notes you should be aware of regarding Spartan hockey

• No. 1/1 Michigan State has a swift turnaround following the Great Lakes Invitational, as it welcomes Wisconsin at Munn on Thursday before competing against the Badgers in the Frozen Confines event at Wrigley Field on Saturday. At 15-2-1, MSU has recorded its most successful first-half start since 2000-01. That team achieved seven additional victories after January 1, culminating in a 22-1-4 record to start the season. This match-up marks the second series between the rivals this season after MSU managed a December split in Madison (0-4, 3-2 OT). Saturday will mark MSU’s sixth outdoor game in its history.

• The Spartans have conceded 31 goals across 18 matches this season, making it the eighth-fewest allowed by any team nationally. MSU’s defensive record of 1.78 goals against per game is ranked first in the Big Ten and second nationally; its offense averages 3.35 goals per game (2nd B1G/8th NCAA), and its scoring margin (+1.59) sits second in the B1G and fourth in Division I.

• Sophomore Luca Di Pasquo was awarded MVP honors at the Great Lakes Invitational and was also recognized as the Big Ten First Star of the Week on Tuesday. He faced 46 shots and permitted only one goal over the weekend while leading MSU to the GLI title. In four starts this season, Di Pasquo has allowed a mere two goals (0.50 GAA) and maintains a .975 save percentage. Additionally, he has not surrendered a goal during five-on-five play; both goals allowed came during power plays.

• Charlie Stramel has centered a line with Isaac Howard and Daniel Russell over the past five contests – during which the trio has combined for 6-7-13. Howard scored in each game of the GLI, and he leads the team in goals (11) and points (22), and is tied for the lead in assists (11). In the Big Ten, he ranks fourth in points per game (1.22, 12th NCAA) and fourth in goals per game (0.56, 17th nationally). Stramel boasts a 5-8-13 scoring line, tying him for second among Spartans in power-play points (1-3-4). Russell stands second among Spartans in goals (8), and his 8-4-12 places him third on the team in points. Russell also shares the national lead in game-winning goals (5).

• Karsen Dorwart, Joey Larson and Red Savage have skated together over the last five matches, and the trio accumulated five points at the GLI (2-3-5). Larson enhanced his scoring line to 6-4-10 following a goal and two assists in the GLI, during which he was named to the All-Tournament Team. Dorwart netted the game-winning goal in the shutout victory against Northern Michigan and now has a 4-8-12 scoring record, placing him fifth on the team. Savage has a 5-5-10 scoring line this season and assisted Larson’s game-winner against Western Michigan.

 

• MSU receives offensive contributions from its defensive unit, with three blueliners averaging 0.5 points per game or more. Matt Basgall is MSU’s leading scoring defenseman, sharing the team lead in assists (11) while blocking a team-high 20 shots. Grad transfer Nicklas Andrews leads the squad with a +15, has a 2-7-9 scoring line, and has added 19 blocks. Maxim Štrbák has also recorded nine points (1-8-9) in 16 games with 17 blocks.