The No. 3 Michigan State hockey program hit the road for the first time this season on Sat., Oct. 17, facing the Rochester Institute of Technology at Blue Cross Arena for the Tigers' homecoming game.
In a rowdy atmosphere, MSU passed its first test away from Munn Ice Arena with flying colors, putting together a 5-1 win over RIT to improve to 3-0-0 on the year.
“This is why you want to play the game, to put our guys in this type of environment,” MSU coach Adam Nightingale said. “Ton of respect for RIT, we knew they were going to play with desperation and that’s important for our guys to see. It’s one thing to have talent but there’s a desperation and a hunger level you have to play with. I thought they really pushed us tonight.”
MSU opened the scoring just over two minutes into the game on the power play, where sophomore forward Ryker Lee received a no-look, through-the-legs pass from senior forward Gavin O'Connell and ripped a one-timer past RIT goaltender Jakub Krbecek.
Freshman defenseman Chase Reid scored his first collegiate goal in the six minutes into the second period, blasting a point-shot that got through traffic and past Krbecek. RIT would turn it back into a one-goal game while on the man-advantage two minutes later, and both sides skated into the third period with the Spartans up 2-1.
It's the first opposing power play goal MSU has given up after going a perfect 6-6 on the penalty kill against Northern Michigan.
MSU got the spark it needed in the third period while on the penalty kill, where sophomore forward Eric Nilson won a puck battle and sent it up to senior forward Tommi Mannisto, who charged the net and flipped a backhand shot that beat Krbecek to give the Spartans some cushion.
Tommi Mannisto goes backhand to score shorthanded and make it 3-1, Spartans! pic.twitter.com/qtUfqzL2Fd
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) October 18, 2026
Sophomore forward Anthony Romani continued his scorching start to the season, scoring his fourth goal in three games to put MSU up 4-1 midway through the third period. Nilson would add an empty-net goal with just over two minutes remaining to make it a 5-1 final.
There was a bit of a scrum towards the end of the game, resulting in all 10 skaters on the ice receiving two minute minors for roughing and 10-minute misconduct penalties.
MSU freshman goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen made 25 saves in his second career start, while Nilson, Reid, and Romani all finished with two-point nights, notching one goal and one assist each.
MSU stays on the road next weekend for a series with New Hampshire on Oct. 23 and 24. MSU and New Hampshire split the series at Munn Ice Arena to begin the 2025-2026 season.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on X @Nathaniel_Bott
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU hockey passes first true road test with 5-1 win over RIT