Michigan State hockey fans have had to take a back seat to football and basketball fans over the past few weeks as Jonathan Smith and Tom Izzo's programs have been dominating the headlines.
But that changed on Friday.
Adam Nightingale's program has been quiet for the past few weeks since the height of the summer recruiting period (still not over losing Gavin McKenna). But it got some of the spotlight last week as Smith suited up in goalie pads and tried to stop some shots from the hockey team. It was a collab that no one knew that they needed -- but we did.
Now, the Fighting Nightingales have made headlines again. The Spartans unveiled their 2025-26 Big Ten hockey schedule, starting with a Nov. 7-8 home series against Penn State.
You asked for it, so here it is.
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) August 22, 2025
Mark those calendars for B1G hockey! pic.twitter.com/WnYE4apcsR
The Spartans will get a chance to beat the top recruit who spurned them for a Big Ten foe to begin conference play as Penn State comes to town on Nov. 7-8. You can expect Munn to be rocking for that one. I can only imagine the chants that will be prepared for McKenna's first visit.
Michigan State will go to Notre Dame the following weekend before hosting Wisconsin, and then a home-and-away series against Michigan to begin December.
Other notable matchups on the Big Ten schedule include:
- at Wisconsin (Jan. 15-16)
- Minnesota (Jan. 23-24)
- at Penn State (Jan. 31-Feb. 1)
- at Michigan (Feb. 6)
- vs. Michigan (Feb. 7) -- Duel in the D
- at Minnesota (March 5-6)
This feels like a very manageable schedule for Nightingale and the Spartans. Wisconsin took a step back last season, so it may not be as difficult of a matchup as it would've been two years ago, but still one to keep an eye on. Minnesota is obviously always good. Michigan is Michigan. And Penn State has done some serious program building in recent years, including adding McKenna.
Mark those calendars, Spartan fans, this could be a special season.