Prior to their two-game slate with Notre Dame this weekend, Michigan State Head Coach Danton Cole and forward Nico Muller addressed the media Tuesday and Thursday, respectively, about how the Spartans are preparing for a hot Fighting Irish team, while they did not play this weekend following a positive Coronavirus test in the Badgers’ men’s hockey program. Notre Dame is coming off a series split with Ohio State this past weekend, where Islanders prospect Jake Pivonka was held off the score sheet in both their 3-0 victory and 3-2 defeat.

Cole started off by talking about the play of the Fighting Irish this year. “They’re a good hockey team. There are a lot of similarities, there have been a few changes, but overall, they make it tough coming through the neutral zone, tough to establish a forecheck and get going, getting pucks to the net.” With regards to the plan for this weekend, he said that it’s similar to years prior, getting pucks behind them and not giving them turnovers, and they need to move the puck quickly, avoiding any opportunities for Notre Dame to cash in. He also knows their starting goaltender, Dylan St. Cyr, from his time at the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP).

Along with the Spartans’ preparation for Notre Dame, Cole said that there have been other aspects of their game that they are looking to improve. “Once we found out we weren’t playing (University of) Wisconsin, we took that day off. It allowed the coaches to meet and discuss that with the days we had off, we had eight practices. We picked out some areas, bringing the puck out, coming through the neutral zone, we did some forecheck and defensive zone stuff, mixing in that with some skill work. Every day we’ve been doing some power-play work as a whole and penalty kill skills, or vice-versa.”

There were lineup changes during the second game of the Minnesota series, most notably sitting freshman forward Kristof Papp, but Coach Cole has seen a lot of progress. He wanted him to see how aggressive you need to play, and by practicing, it gains confidence for a player. They have tried him out on the wing during practice, still playing him with sophomore Nico Muller and senior Mitchell Lewandowski. The two played with freshman Kyle Haskins during that game, but Papp will likely be slotted back on the wing on that line during the Notre Dame series.

Cole has liked the play of freshman defensemen Nash Nienhuis and Aidan Gallacher, who have played every game this season on pairs with Christian Krygier and Tommy Miller, respectively. “Normally by now, they’d be in a really good place with 14 games under their belt compared to six. The first night against Minnesota I thought they were average, then I thought the second night they made a really nice step.” They both move the puck and defend well, and he said they were part of the reason they played better in the second game of the series.

Nico Muller said the team is ready for the challenge Notre Dame brings to the table. “We already had some pre-scouting. Notre Dame always has strong teams. They play a system that is hard to play against, but like Coach Cole always says, we are also a really tough team to play against, so I think it will be a really good matchup.” Despite the loss of starting goaltender Cale Morris, Notre Dame has a strong tandem with Dylan St. Cyr and Ryan Bischel, and Muller noted that they are strong goalies that will be tough to play against.

He was happy with the way he and the rest of the team have been playing. “First of all, it’s only been six games, but I think we’ve played well, although we got swept by Minnesota, but ranked first right now, so it’s kind of okay, but we still want to win those games. We’re a really competitive team. It’s fun that we can play games. The series against Notre Dame will be really important because we need those wins.”

They were prepared to play Wisconsin when the news broke about their postponement, as they were in the midst of what was supposed to be a six games in 12 days stretch.

Muller was also confident with the move to center in the second game against Minnesota, which is where he will play for the distant future. “I feel comfortable playing center because I played my whole junior career center. I feel like coach wants to try something, and I will be ready for that.”

His linemates are the aforementioned Mitchell Lewandowski and Kristof Papp, while Kyle Haskins slotted in against Minnesota. Muller gave high praise to his linemates. “Last season, in the beginning, I already played with Lewy. I think he’s an amazing and fantastic hockey player. He can make plays and it’s really fun to play with him. With Kristof and Haskins, both freshman, I think they have tremendous skillsets, and it’s a joy to be able to play with them.

Michigan State and Notre Dame play on Saturday at 6:30 PM EST on NBCSN, and Sunday at 5 PM EST on NBC Sports Chicago, NBC Sports Philadelphia, and on the NBC Sports App.

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