Michigan State Ends 15-Year Drought, Captures GLI Title

It was the matchup everyone wanted—and it didn’t disappoint.

In front of nearly 8,000 fans at Van Andel Arena, the 58th Great Lakes Invitational delivered on its promise: two top-10 teams, Michigan State and Western Michigan, battling it out for hockey supremacy. The Spartans triumphed 3-1 in a gritty, physical contest to secure their 13th GLI title—their first since 2009.

A Game Built for March

The rematch of last year’s NCAA St. Louis Regional Semifinal felt more like a postseason showdown than a post-holiday tournament. Both teams brought their trademark physicality, grinding each other down in a game that showcased two similar coaching philosophies: Western Michigan’s Pat Ferschweiler and Michigan State’s Adam Nightingale.

The scoring started fast and furious. Bronco freshman Zach Nehring tipped in a power-play goal midway through the first period, only for Spartan junior Tiernan Shoudy to answer just 11 seconds later.

After that, it was a goalie showdown. Western’s Cameron Rowe made highlight-reel saves to keep the game tied, while MSU’s Luca Di Pasquo stood tall under pressure, turning the game into a chess match.

Third-Period Breakthrough

Early in the third, Joey Larson broke the deadlock with his sixth goal of the season, giving the Spartans a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Larson then assisted on Isaac Howard’s second goal of the tournament, sealing the victory for MSU.

For Nightingale, the win showcased his team’s ability to adapt under pressure. “I thought our guys did a heck of a job,” Nightingale said. “That’s a tough team to play against—well-coached, disciplined. We can play different styles of games and still be a good hockey team.”

Larson, who experienced the heartbreak of last year’s GLI loss in a shootout, relished the redemption. “Last year, we were close but came up short,” he said. “This year, we left it all out there, and it paid off.”

All-Tournament Honors and MVP Magic

Di Pasquo’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. Starting in place of Trey Augustine, who was representing Team USA at the World Juniors, Di Pasquo stopped 29 shots in the final and allowed just one goal over the entire tournament. His efforts earned him GLI MVP honors.

“It’s super cool,” Larson said of his teammate’s award. “We were fired up for him. He puts in the work every day, and it’s great to see him get rewarded.”

Larson and Howard joined Di Pasquo on the All-Tournament Team, while Western Michigan’s Alex Bump and Samuel Sjolund, along with Michigan Tech’s Matthew Campbell, also earned honors.

Broncos Look Ahead

Despite the loss, Western Michigan found positives in their performance. “They’re talented and hyper-competitive,” Ferschweiler said of MSU. “They showed it in the third with their skill and will around the net.”

Rowe, who stopped 60 of 66 shots over the two-day tournament, drew praise from Ferschweiler, who emphasized the strength of Western’s goaltending tandem with Rowe and Hampton Slukynsky. “We’ve got two really good goalies, and they’ll both play,” Ferschweiler said.

The Broncos will wrap up non-conference play with a series against Alaska-Anchorage before diving into the grueling NCHC schedule. “It’s going to be a grind,” Ferschweiler admitted. “But we’re ready for it.”

A GLI to Remember

For Nightingale, the GLI holds special significance, both as a childhood fan and now as a coach. Winning the tournament with his team felt like a culmination of effort and dedication.

“Our guys are committed, even going home at Christmas,” Nightingale said. “You can tell they put the work in. This is no different than the NCAA Tournament—the neutral site, the pressure, the noise. This weekend, our team grew.”

Michigan State’s return to GLI glory after 15 years wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. As the Spartans look ahead to the second half of their season, they’ll carry the momentum of this hard-fought victory with them, ready for whatever challenges come next.