GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – No. 3/3-ranked Michigan State returned to the ice on Sunday night, defeating Ferris State, 5-2, in the semifinals of the 59th Great Lakes Invitational at Van Andel Arena.
 
“I thought our execution was really good as far as finishing on some chances early,” said Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale. “Ferris did a really good job and made it hard on us and obviously had some chances where Trey (Augustine) had to make some saves. Charlie (Stramel) really drove us in the game, and I think that’s one of the things he’s done a heck of a job at here.”
 
Michigan State improves to 13-4-0 overall and advances to the GLI championship game for the third straight season. The Spartans will meet Michigan Tech, who advanced following a 5-2 win over Miami, at 7:00 p.m. inside Van Andel Arena.
 
The Spartans out-shot Ferris State 30-23 overall and held a narrow 35-34 advantage on the face-off dot led by senior forward Charlie Stramel’s 14-8 performance. Both sides capitalized on a single power play opportunity each. Junior goaltender Trey Augustine made 21 saves in net for MSU.
 
Stramel led all players with three points on two goals and an assist, and he was joined in scoring by freshman forward Cole Burke, junior forward Tommi Mannisto and freshman forward Anthony Romani.
 
Junior defenseman Patrick Geary and sophomore defenseman Colin Ralph each posted a pair of assists. Also assisting for the Spartans was junior defenseman Maxim Strbak, senior defenseman Matt Basgall, senior forward Tiernan Shoudy, senior forward Daniel Russell and Romani.
 
How It Happened

Michigan State opened the scoring 7:41 into the first period when, making his first career appearance in the Green & White, Burke scored on a deflection following a shot from the point by Geary. Less than a minute later Romani slammed one home from inside the crease to double MSU’s advantage. The Spartans successfully killed three Ferris State power plays in the period.
 
 

First career appearance in the Green & White? First career goal for Cole Burke!

We lead 1-0 in the first period pic.twitter.com/TvbcJxBzQh


— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) December 29, 2025
 
Stramel wasted no time in the second period, scoring just 35 seconds into the frame off a tip in sent his way by Russell. Michigan State’s lead increased to 4-0 after Tiernan Shoudy found a trailing Mannisto in the slot 4:52 into the period. Mannisto’s goal comes while his parents are visiting him in the United State for the first time.
 
Ferris got one back late in the second period, scoring at the 18:35 mark to give Michigan State a 4-1 advantage heading into the third.
 
 

Tiernan Shoudy finds the trailing Tommi Mannisto to make it 4-0 Spartans in the second! pic.twitter.com/q0Ax51ZWJv


— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) December 29, 2025
 
A pair of early power play chances for Ferris State led to a Bulldog goal just three minutes into the third period, cutting MSU’s lead to 4-2. Michigan State scored on a power play opportunity 7:59 into the third period when Stramel cleaned up a rebound in front of the net for his second of the night. Romani put the original shot on goal and Stramel was waiting to capitalize.
 
 

Charlie Stramel capitalizes on the rebound for his second goal of the night!

Michigan State leads 5-2 in the third period pic.twitter.com/W6nxd2NGNA


— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) December 29, 2025
 
 
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