DENVER - The Michigan State hockey team dropped the first of a two-game series with No. 5 Denver on Friday night, falling to the Pioneers, 4-2, at Magness Arena. With the Spartans (1-1-1) leading 2-1 just past the midway point of the third period, Denver (2-1) scored a pair of goals in a 3:19 span to take its first lead of the night and later added an empty-netter in the final seconds.
JT Stenglein and Matt DeBlouw scored for the Spartans, while goaltender Jake Hildebrand made 32 saves.
“I thought our guys competed hard tonight against a really good team,” said MSU head coach Tom Anastos.