The Windsor Lancer men's hockey team closed out their exhibition schedule with a stop at Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, Michigan to take on the Michigan State Spartans on Friday, October 3. The Lancers fell 4-0 to the Spartans, a top team in the NCAA that consists of 15 NHL draft picks.
 
GAME STATS
Johnny Ulicny and Frank Jenkins recorded three shots each for the Lancers. Jenkins and Matt McNamara had two blocks each. Max Donoso put forward a strong effort in net for Windsor, stopping 46 of 50 shots.

Trey Augustine played the first half of the game for the Spartans, saving all eight shots he faced, before Melvin Strahl took over and made 15 saves of his own. Scoring for the Spartans were Porter Martone, Tommi Mannisto, Charlie Stramel, and Ryker Lee.
 
GAME FLOW
Both teams came out with high energy from the opening puck drop, with the Lancers looking to make a statement against the No. 3 NCAA-ranked Spartans. MSU was eager to impress their raucous fans in their first home game of the season.

The Spartans did just that as Porter Martone, the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, opened the scoring just 35 seconds in. The Lancers responded well, with play going back and forth for most of the period. MSU held an 8-5 edge in shots after the first twenty minutes, and Windsor kept it at a 1-0 deficit and were able to get chances of their own.

Michigan State began to pull away as the second period progressed. The top team in the Big Ten Preseason Coaches Poll scored three goals in the middle of the frame, including two in a 35-second span, while outshooting the Lancers 20-7 to go up 4-0.

The Lancers kept the Spartans in check during the third period, keeping them off the scoresheet by killing off three penalties and strong defensive play. Donoso stopped 22 shots in the final frame. The Lancers put 11 pucks on net in an effort to break the shutout,  including two power play opportunities, but were unable to get one by Strahl.
 
UP NEXT
The Lancers have a quick turnaround as they open the OUA regular at home against the York Lions on Sunday, October 5. Puck drop at the Capri Pizzeria Recreation Complex is scheduled for 4 p.m. Tickets can be bought at golancers.ca/tickets and the game can be streamed online via oua.tv.

Canned good donations will be collected at the game and donated to The Windsor Goodfellows, please bring your canned goods for a great cause!