How to Watch MSU Hockey's Massive Rivalry Series vs. Michigan

Here are all the details on how to catch the Spartans' big clashes with the Wolverines this weekend.
Wolverine and Spartan rivals scuffle on the ice Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at Munn Ice Arena during the first period at Munn Ice Arena.
Wolverine and Spartan rivals scuffle on the ice Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at Munn Ice Arena during the first period at Munn Ice Arena. | Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

One of the defining series for third-ranked Michigan State hockey is here, as the Spartans get ready to go against No. 1 Michigan. Friday's game is in East Lansing; Saturday's is in Ann Arbor.

Here are all the details on how to view both games:

Friday TV Details

Gavin O'Connel
Michigan State's Gavin O'Connell (29) looks to pass as Wisconsin's Logan Hensler (6) defends Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 at Munn Arena. | Robert Killips | Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Puck Drop: 8:30 p.m. ET

Channel: Big Ten Network

Announcers: Fred Pletsch, Ben Holden

Saturday's TV Details

Michiga
March 8, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Philippe Lapointe (22) looks on during the second period against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Yost Ice Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images | Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images

Puck Drop: 7 p.m. ET

Streaming: Big Ten Plus

Current B1G+ Prices: $12.99/month, $89.99/year

More on the Matchup

Michiga
March 8, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines defenseman Ethan Edwards (73) looks on during the third period at Yost Ice Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images | Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images

These will be games No. 348 and 349 in the rivalry's history on ice. UM has a 179-144-24 lead in the all-time series. Each team won two times apiece against the other last season. Since Adam Nightingale arrived in East Lansing, the Spartans and Wolverines are 7-7 against one another.

Both will be critical, as both teams are trying to jockey for positioning in the Big Ten standings. Michigan is 15-3-0 overall this year, a 6-2-0 conference record, and 17 Big Ten points. MSU is 11-3-0 overall and 4-2-0 in the conference with 12 points.

The Wolverines enter with plenty of momentum, holding a four-game winning streak and the top spot in the polls. Their last series was a sweep of Harvard, though the second game went into overtime. Michigan is also battle-tested and has had series against current No. 2 Wisconsin (split), No. 7 Western Michigan (split), No. 9 Penn State (split), and No. 16 Providence (sweep).

UM enters the weekend with a three-way tie for the most points on the team. Will Horcoff, a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, leads Michigan with 18 goals, with eight additional assists to land at 26 points. Michael Hage, a first-round selection of the Montreal Canadiens, has 10 goals and 16 assists. T.J. Hughes has nine goals and a team-high 17 assists.

Will Horcof
March 8, 2025; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Will Horcoff (44) handles the puck during the first period against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Yost Ice Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images | Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images

In goal for the Wolverines, almost certainly, will be Jack Ivankovic. He's started all 18 of Michigan's games this season. To this point, the second-round pick of the Nashville Predators has a save percentage of .922 and is only allowing two goals per game.

UM is currently in its fourth season with Brandon Naurato as its head coach, including his first campaign that was spent with the interim tag. The Wolverines reached the Frozen Four during each of their first two seasons with Naurato, but missed the NCAA Tournament entirely last season. Naurato has a career record of 82-45-9 (.636) in Ann Arbor.

Brandon Naurat
Michigan head coach Brandon Naurato talks to players during the first period against Michigan State at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Published
Jacob Cotsonika
JACOB COTSONIKA

A 2025 graduate from Michigan State University, Cotsonika brings a wealth of experience covering the Spartans from Rivals and On3 to his role as Michigan State Spartans Beat Writer on SI. At Michigan State, he was also a member of the world-renowned Spartan marching band for two seasons.

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