The other day, Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio mentioned all the hardware that’s been filling up trophy cases around East Lansing lately. Well, the Spartan hockey team better make room for one more.
The Michigan State Spartans knocked off the 7 Michigan Wolverines 3-2 in overtime on Friday night at a sold-out Joe Louis Arena to capture the very first ‘Duel in the D’ trophy. On the power play in overtime, senior and Chesterfield, MI native Matt Deblouw scored to end the game and give Michigan State their biggest win of the college hockey season.
Spartans Win! A huge win for @MSU_Hockey at the Duel in the D! https://t.co/AeHTPRXeya
— Spartan Vision (@Spartan_Vision) February 6, 2016
The 50-pound trophy outweighs the Stanley Cup by over 15 pounds and will call Munn Ice Arena home until these two rivals meet again for one final time at Joe Louis Arena next season.
Talk about a heavy trophy! Congrats @MSU_Hockey that's some nice hardware you're going to be bringing home to Munn! https://t.co/VmLtiOTqQi
— Spartan Vision (@Spartan_Vision) February 6, 2016
Just 1:57 to play. Who is going to win the first Iron D trophy? #DuelInTheD pic.twitter.com/tvOwCOXjUD
— FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) February 6, 2016
Upset!@MSU_Hockey's Matt DeBlouw scored in OT to lead the Spartans to a 3-2 upset of No. 5 Michigan. pic.twitter.com/8SiJyFiYcN
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) February 6, 2016
MSU wins!!! #DuelInTheD pic.twitter.com/a86rvBVIUZ
— FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) February 6, 2016
Michigan State is having a lackluster season on the ice while Michigan is the highest scoring team in the country. This is just the kind of win the Spartans needed to lift their spirits. MSU will need to win the Big Ten tournament to qualify for the NCAA’s this season.
Michigan State coach Tom Anastos: "It's nice to win a little bit of hardware."
— George Sipple (@GeorgeSipple) February 6, 2016