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NCAA DI Men's Hockey

Trey Augustine Makes 41 Saves In Michigan State Hockey Victory Over UConn

Trey Augustine Makes 41 Saves In Michigan State Hockey Victory Over UConn

Here's the game recap and highlights for Michigan State vs UConn hockey in the 2026 NCAA tournament en route to the Frozen Four on Thursday, March 26.

Mar 26, 2026 by Andy Schamma
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MUST SEE: Midland Wins First ACHA National Title In Triple Overtime1:34

The No. 3-seed Michigan State University's men's ice hockey team took on the No. 14-seed UConn Huskies to open regional play in the 2026 NCAA men's hockey tournament on Thursday, March 26 and fight for a spot in the Frozen Four.

The two had never played before and the Huskies provided a worthy challenger for the Spartans.

Puck drop was delayed after the glass had to be replaced after warm-ups in Worcester, Massachusetts at the DCU Center.

UConn was hoping to make history and start their second-ever trip to the NCAA tournament with a huge upset. 

In conference tournament play, they earned their way to the Hockey East tournament final where they lost to Merrimack, 1-2. The Huskies entered the game with a 20-12-5 record.

The Spartans held a spot in the top five all season, walking away with a regular season record of 25-8-2 after topping the Big Ten standings for a third time in a row. They'll be looking to punch their ticket to Vegas for the Frozen Four in April in their third consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament.

MSU haven't made it out of the regional since winning the national championship in 2007 against Boston College.

Read the game recap below for Michigan State vs UConn in the 2026 NCAA hockey tournament Worcester regional opener.

Trey Augustine Makes 41 Saves In Michigan State Hockey Victory Over UConn

UConn had an empty net and just a minute remaining as they tried to extend their life in the 2026 NCAA hockey tournament, but Michigan State proved too big a hill to climb. It was all off the back of goalie Trey Augustine and his impressive 41-save performance, a season-high.

Goals from Ryker Lee and Porter Martone helped the Spartans take the one-goal edge over UConn after captain Tabor Heaslip opened the scoring.

In their first time facing off against one of the most historic college hockey programs in the country, the Huskies put up a strong showing. It was their failure to convert on the power play that would be their downfall, coming up short five times.

Crunch Time For UConn - 1:22 3rd

UConn 1, Michigan State 2

The Huskies came up big with a third penalty kill of the game, the most important as they battled from behind.

As the clock ticks down on UConn's chances to stay in the tournament, Michigan State has controlled most of the offensive chances. It was nearly three minutes before they were able to get possession and a clean entry.

Shots on goal have slowed down both ways, with 9 coming from UConn and 5 from MSU in the third so far. This is the first time that Michigan State has allowed 40 shots on goal this season.

With two minutes remaining, UConn pulled their goalie.

The Spartans missed two bites at the cherry but whiffed before UConn was able to regain possession.

Both teams called timeouts with 80 seconds remaining.

Richard To The Box, UConn Kills It Off - 7:49 3rd

UConn 1, Michigan State 2

Romani drew a hit in the helmet by Richard, even though they called him for hooking. It was a critical opportunity to the Spartans to open the gap.

Michigan State put up two minutes straight of intense pressure on UConn's penalty kill with some great puck movement. They added three more shots on goal with a few blocks as well.

MSU Hunkers Down, Tries To Hush Huskies - 11:55 3rd

UConn 1, Michigan State 2

Michigan State has yet to launch a puck on net in the third period as they hunker down and keep UConn in control. UConn is nearing the 40-shot mark as Augustine stays strong.

UConn Pressures Augustine - 15:46 3rd

UConn 1, Michigan State 2

Tattle almost found an opportunity at the five-hole after the pass from Richard.

Third Period Is Live - 19:22 3rd

UConn 1, Michigan State 2

And we're off to the third as MSU tries to solidify their lead and escape the weight of their 2025 tournament result.

Michigan State Up By One Going Into Third, UConn Hanging On

UConn 1, Michigan State 2

After two periods, it's Sparty who leads on the scoreboard but the Huskies have been all over the ice trying to stay in this one.

MSU has taken far too many penalties and struggled to maintain an offensive presence as a result. At some point, Trey Augustine may not be able to snag every puck like he has so far—minus one.

UConn has 31 shots to MSU's 17.

Richard and Percival combined for at least half of them, with almost every single one going wide or missing entirely.

MSU has won 26 faceoffs with UConn taking 17.

Lee, Allain Samake Both Sent To Box After Scrum - 2:52 2nd

UConn 1, Michigan State 2

We're back to 4-on-4 hockey after a scrum initiated by a big Ryker Lee crosscheck.

MSU Kills Off 5th Penalty - 2:52 2nd

UConn 1, Michigan State 2

UConn goes on their fifth power play as Michigan State is outpacing their average of 5+ penalties per game.

UConn up 28-14 in the shots category and faceoffs have shifted back in favor of MSU, 23-15.

Mannisto got a shot on Muszelik for another shorthanded chance. MSU's kill was stifling until the Huskies were able to set up with less than half of the power play remaining.

UConn added six more shots and the advantage ran out with yet another missed opportunity.

Martone Slings It In, Scores With Help From Shoudy - 8:06 2nd

UConn 1, Michigan State 2

Porter Martone had all of the patience to go back and forth with Shoudy entering the zone to make the UConn goaltender shift laterally.

Martone had wide open net and scored to give Michigan State their first lead of the game. His 25th goal of the season.

Augustine Clutches Up Again, 4-on-4 - 8:38 2nd

UConn 1, Michigan State 1

Trey Augustine bailed out the Spartans defense once again with a beautiful high glove save on the third-chance opportunity rebound delivery by Richard.

On the play, penalties went to both sides to send it to 4-on-4.

Physicality Picking Up - 9:52 2nd

UConn 1, Michigan State 1

Both teams have been looking for margins where throwing their bodies might be enough to make a difference.

Russell Gets Penalty Shot, Muszelik Stops It - 13:59 2nd

UConn 1, Michigan State 1

Daniel Russell had a shorthanded breakaway but was interrupted by Dezainde, drawing a hooking call and earning a penalty shot.

Muszelik was on top of the penalty shot the whole way there.

Stramel Runs Into Muzselik, UConn Power Play - 15:53 2nd

UConn 1, Michigan State 1

UConn heads back on the power play after Stramel plowed into the netminder. Not a great look for the Spartans top-liner.

On their fourth advantage of the game, first of the middle period, the Huskies struggled yet again to throw the puck towards Augustine.

Second Period Is Live - 19:37 2nd

UConn 1, Michigan State 1

We're off into the middle period as the Huskies and Spartans return to battle.

Heaslip and Stramel met at center ice and it was once again Stramel who took the win.

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Tied Up After Twenty

UConn 1, Michigan State 1

Things got started slowly in the opening frame of this first Worcester regional game in the 2026 NCAA tournament, but it was all tied up at one. UConn opened the scoring and Michigan State tied it up late with a toe-drag into a point-blank range lift from Ryker Lee.

Shots

  • UConn: 18
  • MSU: 8

Faceoffs

  • UConn: 8
  • MSU: 13

Blocks

  • UConn: 5
  • MSU: 5

Power Play

  • UConn: 0-3
  • MSU: 1-1

Ryker Lee Puts On A Show, MSU Ties It Up - 1:04 1st

UConn 1, Michigan State 1

Ryker Lee (NSH) brought out his bag of tricks once again. With the man-advantage, he worked his way deep into the zone against the boards and just drove the net to lift the puck top shelf and score.

He was all the way behind the line before toe-dragging it in and up to the net.

UConn Called For Retaliation, MSU Power Play - 1:55 1st

UConn 1, Michigan State 0

After the end of their third unsuccessful power play, Gardula sent Nilson backwards to the ice with a small push. Michigan State went on their first power play of the game as a result.

Augustine Makes Incredible Save, MSU Kills It - 1:57 1st

UConn 1, Michigan State 0

Augustine shifted right to left with a beautiful lateral movement to rob a shot at a wide open net from Blais. What a huge save to help the Spartans keep to just a one-goal game as UConn tries to press.

Richard Draws A Third, UConn Back On Power Play - 4:06 1st

UConn 1, Michigan State 0

The momentum shift continues as the Huskies return to the power play. Lindstrom returned to the box with a hit from behind on Richard—who has now drawn his third power play of the game.

Goal! Heaslip Scores On Rebound - 4:56 1st

UConn 1, Michigan State 0

UConn Huskies take the opening goal against the top-seeded Spartans. Muldowney delivered the shot in on Augustine from the edge which set up a juicy rebound for Heaslip.

UConn Goes 0-2 On Power Play - 4:56 1st

UConn 0, Michigan State 0

Nilson was called for tripping on Richard in the MSU zone to bring out UConn's power play for the second time. UConn added just two shots with a miss and a block. MSU did well to clear the puck for the second half of the disadvantage.

Michigan State Controlling Faceoffs - 9:17 1st

UConn 0, Michigan State 0

As we hit the second media timeout, Michigan State has won 9 out of 12 faceoffs in the first half of the first period. UConn is still outshooting MSU, 12-6.

Michigan State Revs Up Pressure - 12:16 1st

UConn 0, Michigan State 0

Despite shots being 5-1 in UConn's favor, most have gone wide. Percival is responsible for nearly all of them. Michigan State has already started pulling ahead as they get their legs moving and take control of the neutral ice.

Muszelik was forced to cover the puck as Stramel and Martone pressured him in the crease.

Muszelik Saves First Shot On Martone - 15:24 1st

UConn 0, Michigan State 0

UConn's goaltender came ready, absorbing the first look from Porter Martone who flew into the circle with speed. A quick move to the center and he had the room to put the puck on Muszelik.

Lindstrom To The Box, MSU Kills Power Play - 15:47 1st

UConn 0, Michigan State 0

The Huskies get the first man-advantage of the 2026 tournament and it's a cross-check from Lindstrom who sent Gardula sprawling to the ground.

UConn is 22.4% on the power play. Michigan State is 81.3% on the kill.

UConn was held to the perimeter by MSU—moving the puck well but not enough to get a clear look on Augustine.

MSU killed it off.

Heaslip, Stramel Meet At Center Ice. MSU Takes It - 19:40 1st

UConn 0, Michigan State 0

Porter Martone got an earful from the officials before the initial puck drop as he tried to set the tone early.

Richard had a big hit early at the blue line for Ryker Lee, playing in his first NCAA tournament game.

Huskies, Sparty Hits The Ice

UConn wearing their solid blue jerseys, Michigan State in the whites.

Puck Drop Is Coming Up... After A Short Delay!

It's almost tournament time in Worcester!

Unsurprisingly, Augustine (.929 SVS%, 2.09 GAA) gets the spot between the pipes for the Spartans and Muszelik (.927 SVS%, 2.21 GAA)opposite of him.

A glass panel broke in the DCU Center during the warm-up session—puck drop has been pushed back 20 minutes to accommodate.

Michigan State Hockey Projected Lines vs UConn

Forwards

  • Russell - Stramel (MIN) - Martone (PHI)
  • Romani (VAN) - Nilson (ANA) - Lee (NAS)
  • O'Connell - Lindstrom (CBJ) - Vansaghi (PHI)
  • Mannisto - Tiernan Shoudy - Jurecki

Defense

  • Ralph (STL) - Basgall
  • Geary (BUF) - Strbak (BUF)
  • West - Barnhill (NYR)
  • Lahey (TOR)

Goalies

  • Augustine (DET)
  • Strahl (CBJ)
  • Gilbert

Today's Match-Up By The Numbers

Here's how Michigan State and UConn hockey's numbers look in a quick comparison.


Michigan State

UConn

SHOTS



Goals-Shots

131-1244

115-1250

Goals per Game

3.7

3.1

Shots per Game

35.5

33.8

Assists

228

194

Saves

955

1034

POWER PLAYS



Goals-Opportunities

29-102

24-107

Conversion Percentage

0.284

0.224

PENALTIES



Total (Per game)

192 (5.5)

138 (3.7)

Minutes (per game)

571 (16.3)

311 (8.4)

FACEOFFS



Won-Lost

1213-1136

1049-1118

Percentage

0.516

0.484

Augustine, Stramel Amongst Hobey Baker Award Finalists

The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player. It is named for Hall of Famer Hobey Baker, who played college hockey at Princeton University and died shortly after World War I.

Michigan State Spartans Trey Augustine and Charlie Stramel are amongst the finalists.

One Hour Until Puck Drop

The stage is set.

When Does Michigan State Play UConn In The NCAA Hockey Tournament?

Puck drop is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 26.

How to Watch Michigan State Hockey vs UConn Today

The Michigan State vs UConn hockey game is scheduled to stream live at 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 26 on ESPN2 and streamed on the ESPN App. Follow along on FloHockey for the latest news and analysis.

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NCAA Hockey Tournament Schedule

Here's the schedule for the first round of the NCAA Division I men's hockey tournament. The round will be played from March 26-28. The second round begins on March 27.

The Frozen Four in Las Vegas begins Thursday, April 9.  

Worcester Regional 

Semifinals, Thursday, March 26

  • No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 4 UConn, 1:30 p.m.
  • No. 2 Dartmouth vs. No. 3 Wisconsin, 5 p.m.

Final, Saturday

  • Semifinal winners, time TBD 

Sioux Falls Regional

Semifinals, Thursday

  • No. 2 Providence vs. No. 3 Quinnipiac, 5 p.m.
  • No. 1 North Dakota vs. No. 4 Merrimack, 8:30 p.m.

Final, Saturday 

  • Semifinal winners, time TBD

Albany Regional

Semifinals, Friday

  • No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 4 Bentley, 5:30 p.m.
  • No. 2 Minnesota Duluth vs. No. 3 Penn State, 9 p.m.

Final, Sunday

  • Semifinal winners, time TBD
  • Loveland (Colorado) Regional

Semifinals, Friday

  • No. 1 Western Michigan vs. No. 4 Minnesota State, 2:30 p.m. 
  • No. 2 Denver vs. No. 3 Cornell, 6 p.m.

Final, Sunday

  • Semifinal winners, time TBD

Frozen Four

National semifinals

  •  April 9, 5 and 8:30 p.m.

National final

  • April 11, 5:30 p.m.

DI Men's Hockey Rankings: Before Selection Sunday

RANK - TEAM (1ST VOTES) - RECORD - POINTS - PREVIOUS RANK

  • 1    Michigan (50)    28-7-1    1000    1
  • 2    North Dakota    27-9-1    890    2
  • 3    Michigan State    25-8-2    889    3
  • 4    Denver    24-11-3    848    6
  • 5    Western Michigan    26-10-1    809    4
  • 6    Minnesota Duluth    23-13-1    746    8
  • 7    Providence    23-10-2    684    5
  • 8    Cornell    22-9-1    619    9
  • 9    Dartmouth    21-7-4    569    12
  • T10    Penn State    21-13-2    535    10
  • T10    Quinnipiac    26-9-3    535    7
  • 12    Wisconsin    21-12-2    414    10
  • 13    Connecticut    19-11-5    397    14
  • 14    Massachusetts    22-12-1    383    15
  • 15    St. Thomas    21-11-5    278    18
  • 16    Minnesota State    21-10-7    258    16
  • 17    Boston College    20-14-1    243    17
  • 18    Augustana    22-11-4    198    13
  • 19    Ohio State    14-20-2    53    NR
  • 20    Bentley    22-11-5    46    NR

What Teams Made The 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament?

Here are the 16 teams that have reached the NCAA tournament:

  • Michigan
  • North Dakota
  • Michigan State
  • Western Michigan
  • Denver
  • Minnesota Duluth
  • Providence
  • Dartmouth
  • Penn State
  • Quinnipiac
  • Cornell
  • Wisconsin
  • Minnesota State
  • UConn
  • Merrimack
  • Bentley

Where is the 2026 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four?

Las Vegas will host the 2026 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four. It is that events first trip to Sin City. T-Mobile Arena, home of the Vegas Golden Knights will be the venue for the event which will run April 9 and 11.

Highlights: Ohio University Wins ACHA National Championship For First Time In 22 Years

The Ohio Bobcats ended a 22-year drought at the ACHA Men's Division 1 National Championship with a 3-1 win over Adrian College in the final. OU has now won the Murdoch Cup five times.

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