No. 3 Michigan State took both games of its season-opening weekend against Northern Michigan at Munn Ice Arena, winning 6-2 on Friday, Oct. 9, and 5-1 on Sunday, Oct. 11. The Spartans outscored the Wildcats 11-3 and are 2-0-0 heading into their first road trip. Northern Michigan is 1-3-0.

Who stood out

Anthony Romani scored in both games, with two goals Friday and a shorthanded goal Sunday. Jack Hextall also scored in each game, adding his first college goal in the opener and a goal and two assists in the finale. Ryker Lee had three assists Friday and a goal Sunday, and Eric Nilson picked up assists in both games. Jimmy Clark scored his first goal as a Spartan on Sunday.

Michigan State used both of its goalies. Freshman Joshua Ravensbergen made 16 saves in his regular-season debut Friday, and Quentin Sigurdson made 29 saves Sunday. For Northern Michigan, Oliver Auyeung-Ashton played both games and faced 75 shots, making 64 saves. Branden Piku and Grayden Slipec scored Friday, and Michael Burchill scored Sunday.

Special teams

Penalties were the story of the opener, when Northern Michigan was whistled 14 times, including a major and game misconduct to captain Medrick Bolduc. Sunday was far cleaner, with three minors per side. Across the weekend, Northern Michigan went 0-for-8 on the power play and killed six of 13 Michigan State chances, and the Spartans added a shorthanded goal Sunday.

What’s next

Michigan State visits RIT on Saturday, Oct. 17. Northern Michigan hosts Stonehill at the Berry Events Center on Oct. 16-17.

Game recaps: Oct. 9 and Oct. 11.

Sources

• NMU Wildcats: Box score, Northern Michigan at Michigan State (Oct. 11)
• NMU Wildcats: Wildcats close out weekend against No. 3 Michigan State
• MSU Spartans: Offensive outburst leads No. 3 Hockey past Northern Michigan in regular-season opener
• NMU Wildcats: Penalties plague Wildcats against No. 3 Spartans