Spartans Strike First, Extend Lead in Duel in the D
Detroit, MI – The Michigan State Spartans jumped out to an early lead and extended it through the first period of the annual Duel in the D hockey game against the University of Michigan Wolverines on . The game, a longstanding rivalry matchup played at Little Caesars Arena, saw Michigan State capitalize on offensive opportunities to take a 2-0 advantage.
The Spartans opened the scoring late in the first period, at on , with a goal from Gavin O’Connell. O’Connell, coming off the bench, found himself open and received a pass from Romani, beating Michigan goaltender Jack Ivankovic with a shot past his blocker.
Michigan State continued to pressure, and added to their lead early in the second period with a powerplay goal from Porter Martone at . Martone capitalized on a screen set by Charlie Stramel, firing a wrist shot past Ivankovic.
The return of Jack Ivankovic to the Michigan net was a significant storyline heading into the game. Ivankovic, a star freshman goaltender, had been sidelined with an injury sustained in January during a game against Notre Dame. Michigan coach Brandon Naurato had initially indicated a “long time” recovery, but Ivankovic was surprisingly back in the lineup for the Duel in the D. Before his injury, Ivankovic boasted impressive statistics, including a save percentage of .927, a goals-against average of 1.92, and three shutouts.
The Duel in the D, which began in 1991 as a two-game series before transitioning to a single game in 1993, is a highly anticipated annual event for both universities and their fans. The game pits the two historic rivals against each other on an NHL-sized stage, adding to the intensity of the competition.
The Wolverines and Spartans entered the game ranked as the top two teams in the nation, with Michigan holding the No. 1 ranking and Michigan State at No. 2. The game represents a key matchup in the Big Ten conference, and a chance for either team to assert their dominance.
Earlier in the season, on , the Michigan Wolverines defeated the Michigan State Spartans in men’s basketball, 83-71. Yaxel Lendeborg led the Wolverines with 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Elliot Cadeau added 17 points. The Spartans were led by Jeremy Fears, who scored a career-high 31 points. Michigan’s victory moved them into sole possession of first place in the Big Ten conference.
The basketball game saw a significant shift in momentum in the second half, with Michigan State mounting a comeback before ultimately falling short. Michigan’s outside shooting proved to be a key factor in their win, making 8 of 21 three-pointers compared to Michigan State’s 19 of 23 misses from beyond the arc. The game was attended by prominent figures including Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell and two-time World Series champion Kirk Gibson.
The hockey game continues tonight, with Michigan looking to respond after falling behind early. The outcome will undoubtedly have implications for both teams as they navigate the remainder of the season.
