Spartans Net Title Clincher in 2OT; Howard Burries Winner

**Munn Arena- East Lansing, MI**

Isaac Howard brought Munn Arena and Spartan faithful to a deafening roar after netting the 2OT game-winner at 15:09 mark. Howard won a puck battle in the offensive zone after a dump in and beat the Buckeye netminder short side for his second goal of the game, racking up 4 points.

The game seemed locked up after Tanner Kelly scored early in the third of the 00:42 mark to take a 3-1 lead. However, Ohio State closed it to a one-goal game on the stick of Damien Carfagna at the 12:46 mark and suddenly, the collars tightened, and it became of a game how-not-to-lose. MSU would be shocked to watch OSU tally the tying goal with only 2:21 left by Gunnarwolfe Fontaine. Munn became quiet and overtime seemed like a mile and possible mortal wound, away.

Despite the collapse, the club made adjustments and came out fully on the attack, dominating the first 10 minutes of the first overtime piling up quality scoring chances until OSU finally brought some pressure for a few minutes after this lengthy stretch of defense. MSU would regain control late in the first OT putting a few more opportunities on net and would enter this intermission, with the momentum. Both teams had a few scoring chances in the first 7-10 minutes would some great saves, but MSU brough some sustained pressure through the neutral zone with some aggressive forechecking that lead to a created opportunity by Howard who took advantage of it.

Despite losing their captain earlier in the season, MSU continues to roll on all cylinders backed with arguably, the best goalie in the nation with Trey Augustine. Their balanced scoring and special teams make this one of the truly dangerous teams to bring home a Frozen Four National Championship. Should they defeat Cornell, they would play the winner of Boston U and OSU.

NCAA Frozen Tournament

As a result, MSU laid claim to a #1 seed and #2 overall in the Toledo region of the NCAA Frozen Hockey Tournament. They will play Cornell on Thursday, 3/27 at 5:30pm EST on ESPN+/ESPNU.