MSU Hockey Conference Schedule Kicks Off with Highly Anticipated Series

Michigan State hockey's Big Ten schedule will begin with a matchup that fans are quite eager to see.

MSU hockey coach Adam Nightingale coaches his Spartans, Saturday, March 22, 2025, during the third period of the Big 10 Hockey final at Munn Ice Arena. MSU won 4-3 in double overtime. | Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Big Ten revealed its 2025-26 hockey schedule on Friday, and Michigan State fans couldn't be more excited.

The Spartans' first conference matchup will be against Penn State, a team that will be looking to take Michigan State's crown as the top team in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions, of course, will feature top NHL Draft prospect Gavin McKenna, a player the Spartans were in the running for earlier this offseason.

It came down to Michigan State and Penn State, but the Nittany Lions came out as the victors. McKenna will make his Big Ten debut in East Lansing on Nov. 7.

The Spartans will host Penn State that weekend before heading they head out on the road for their first conference away series against Notre Dame.

Here's Michigan State's entire 2025 Big Ten schedule

Nov. 7-8: Penn State (HOME)

Nov. 14-15: Notre Dame (AWAY)

Nov. 21-22: Wisconsin (HOME)

Dec. 5: Michigan (HOME)

Dec. 6: Michigan (AWAY)

Jan. 9-10: Ohio State (AWAY)

Jan. 15-16: Wisconsin (AWAY)

Jan. 23-24: Minnesota (HOME)

Jan. 31-Feb. 1: Penn State (AWAY)

Feb. 6: Michigan (AWAY)

Feb. 7: Michigan ("Duel in the D" at Little Caesars Arena)

Feb. 19-20: Notre Dame (HOME)

Feb. 27-28: Ohio State (HOME)

March 5-6: Minnesota (AWAY)

Missing out on McKenna was a tough hit for the Spartans, and losing Hobey Baker winner Isaac Howard only piled on that. But the Spartans did manage to land another top prospect in Porter Martone and are returning one of the top goalies in the country, Trey Augustine, among other key veterans.

On top of that, they've brought in talented transfers and a promising freshman class. The Big Ten is going to be a gauntlet, but Michigan State is still well-suited to win it for a third consecutive year and once again compete for a national title.

Kicking things off with a home matchup against Penn will be a great way to start conference play for the Spartans, as it will serve as a measuring stick that will gauge where they stand among the best in the Big Ten.

Michigan State's 2025-26 season will begin with a home series against New Hampshire on Oct. 9-10, with an exhibition game at home against Windsor on Oct. 3.

Michigan State's head coach Adam Nightingale calls out to players during the first period against Notre Dame in the Big Ten tournament on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Muni Arena in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Be sure to follow the official Spartan Nation page on Facebook, Spartan Nation, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and feel free to share your thoughts on the Spartans' hockey schedule when you join our community group, Go Green Go White, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE. Don't forget to give us a follow on X @MSUSpartansOnSI as well.