Goaltending Confidence Check It's been a topsy turvy season in the most talent-dense conference in college hockey. Traditional powers Michigan and Minnesota—who have met in each of the last two Big Ten championship games—are struggling to find their identities in the early stages of the season following major talent exoduses to the NHL last year, as Michigan State (who finished tied for second-last in the conference a year ago) and Wisconsin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/prospects/brady-cleveland-the-wisconsin-badgers-making-b1g-early-statement] (who finished a distant last place) have the air of national title contenders. This weekend in East Lansing, the Spartans hosted the Badgers for a two-game set at Munn Ice Arena. Wisconsin—fueled by sweeps over the Wolverines and Gophers—entered the weekend in possession of the number one ranking in the country. However, thanks in large part to the work Red Wings 2023 second rounder Trey Augustine did in the crease, MSU earned a home sweep, taking Friday night's game 4-2 and Saturday's 3-2. Michigan State's goalie Trey Augustine, right, defends as Joey Larson tires to make the puck in the goal in practice during hockey media day on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, at Munn Arena in East Lansing. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAyMzI2Njk4MjIwMzMyMDQ0/usatsi_21514031.jpg] Michigan State's goalie Trey Augustine, right, defends as Joey Larson tires to make the puck in the goal in practice during hockey media day on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, at Munn Arena in East Lansing. On Friday, Augustine stopped 32 of the 34 Badger shots he faced, before making 28 saves on 30 shots Saturday. Now 13 games into his collegiate career, Augustine owns a 9-2-1 record He spoke to the MLB and NHL Network's Jon Morosi about the energy at Munn for the Spartans' sweep: With the two wins, the Spartans have vaulted to the top of the Big Ten standings, with five regulation wins and just one OT loss in six conference games. FURTHER READING: ALSO FROM THN DETROIT Bertuzzi Burns Wings, Third Period Collapse, Compher Line Struggles, Lyon Holds Firm: Red Wings-Maple Leafs Statistical Review [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/analysis/bertuzzi-burns-wings-third-period-collapse-compher-line-struggles-lyon-holds-firm-red-wings-maple-leafs-statistical-review] "In the Third, We Come Out and Play a Bit Scared on Our Heels": Red Wings React to a Disappointing Global Series Loss to the Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/in-the-third-we-come-out-and-play-a-bit-scared-on-our-heels-red-wings-react-to-a-disappointing-global-series-loss-to-the-maple-leafs] Red Wings 2, Maple Leafs 3: Swede Nylander Leads Leaf Comeback, Sending Detroit Home Sour [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/red-wings-2-maple-leafs-3-swede-nylander-leads-leaf-comeback-sending-detroit-home-sour] The Silky Mitten State Episode 4 [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/analysis/the-silky-mitten-state-episode-4] Red Wings 4, Senators 5 (OT): Detroit Mounts Four-Goal Comeback, Only to Fall to Stutzle and the Sens in Overtime [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/red-wings-4-senators-5-ot-detroit-mounts-four-goal-comeback-only-to-fall-to-stutzle-and-the-sens-in-overtime] Report: Red Wings A Candidate for Potential Winter Classic at Ohio Stadium in Columbus [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/news/report-red-wings-a-candidate-for-potential-winter-classic-at-ohio-stadium-in-columbus] Lucas Raymond's Star Turn Proves Value of NHL's Global Series [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/features/lucas-raymonds-star-turn-proves-value-of-nhls-global-series]
