After getting swept by Wisconsin the week prior, Michigan State bounced back with two wins against Colgate this week. In the series, Flyers prospect Shane Vansaghi and his new linemates found offensive success, with Vansaghi picking up three primary assists. Fellow prospect Porter Martone had a bit of a quiet series, with just one assist and a goal that was called back.
Vansaghi’s new line shines
Vansaghi began the season on a line centered by Cayden Lindstrom, with Gavin O’Connell as his opposite wing. Early on, the trio looked to be building chemistry with two strong games against Boston University, however after back-to-back quiet series in the following weeks, Lindstrom would leave the lineup with an injury. A small amount of line juggling later, and a new line was formed that saw Vansaghi join forces with freshman forwards Ryker Lee and Eric Nilson.
Lee, the Nashville Predators 2025 first-rounder, has had an excellent start to the season, with 13 points in 14 games. A volume shooter, Lee is averaging over 4 shots per game, by far the highest rate on the team and near the top of the NCAA leaderboards. Lee is currently on a 7-game point streak, with two goals and two assists against Colgate. Nilson, selected by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round, scored in both games this week and now has three goals and three assists this season. While he did find the back of the net twice this week, Nilson is more of a pass-first center, and stylistically compliments Lee’s shoot-first mentality. Add in Vansaghi, who plays the role of the power forward, and you have a classic hockey line.
On Wednesday night, the Spartans came out flying, scoring three goals before the midway point of the first period. After Owen West opened the scoring with a slap shot from the point, Vansaghi’s line took the game over. Michigan State defender Maxim Štrbák starts the play by keeping the puck in the offensive zone off of a broken play and spotting Vansaghi at the left faceoff dot. Vansaghi makes a quick touch-pass to Lee across the ice, who adds to the Spartans lead.
And just like that, Ryker Lee makes it 2-0! pic.twitter.com/FKwD96PbG9
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) November 27, 2025
Vansaghi’s passing has begun to pop of late, with him setting Martone up for a goal last week from a similar spot. He’d pick up his second assist of the game just a little over two minutes later, finding Nilson with another cross-ice pass, this time off the rush.
The back door is open! Eric Nilson scores our third goal of the first period, his second of the season! pic.twitter.com/VWgYpAVtpj
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) November 27, 2025
This still-new trio had a great opening contest, and were the main driving force behind Michigan State’s ability to control the game. With goals scored by Tiernan Shoudy and Charlie Stramel that followed, Michigan State would go on to win the first game of the series by a final score of 5-2. Shots on goal read 42-31 in favor of the Spartans.
In the second of two meetings, Michigan State once again went up early, with Vansaghi capitalizing on a mishandle along the boards. After picking up the puck, he would find Nilson in the slot who was able to one-time the puck home.
Eric Nilson makes Colgate pay after Shane Vansaghi takes it away! pic.twitter.com/tEKUxYpbmx
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) November 28, 2025
While at the end of the day this is a mishandle by the Colgate defender more than anything else, Vansaghi has continuously shown himself to be a plus-forechecker, and both forces the puck carrier to make a pass, as well as closes on the loose puck before a recovery can be made. It might be a bit of a freebie, but diligent checking is going to occasionally lead to one of those.
This line was the best line for either team in this series, applying pressure offensively seemingly shift after shift. It was a slight surprise that the line stayed together for game two with Lindstrom’s return to the lineup, however the decision was clearly the correct one. After the game, Michigan State’s head coach Adam Nightingale said that they were probably the team’s best line, so it seems likely that this trio will stick together moving forward. If they do, this would be a great opportunity for Vansaghi to flex his offensive game a bit more, and it would also be interesting to see him play left wing for an extended period. The Flyers are deep on the right side, and while it’s hard to forecast whether or not that will still be the case by the time that Vansaghi would be pushing for a roster spot, the versatility to play either wing can only be viewed as a positive.
Two goals from Daniel Russell and one from Lee followed the Nilson tally, leading them to the 4-1 final. Vansaghi finished the two-game series with three assists, all primary, and had four shots on goal. On the season, Vansaghi has 1 goal and 5 assists in 14 games.
Martone held to a point
The Flyers’ 2025 first round pick had an unusually quiet series on the scoresheet. In the first of two meetings, Martone finished with just one shot on goal and no points on the board. He did, however, put the puck in the net once — just not in a legal fashion. It looked as if Martone had extended the Spartans’ lead in the second period, however it was a pretty clear kick, and after a quick review it was determined as such.
Martone would actually miss the back-half of the third period due to a ten-minute misconduct that occurred with 9:32 remaining in the game for his actions after the whistle. A scrum broke out between Spartans defenseman Patrick Geary and Colgate forward Ryan Sullivan, resulting in fighting majors being handed out, and automatic disqualifications. After the two were separated, Martone got into it with Jack Brandt, and the two were given ten-minute misconducts. What exactly started their scuffle wasn’t shown on the broadcast, though Brandt was given an extra two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Martone has been a common participant in post-whistle scrums this season, and it’s fair to say that he’s a bit of a pot-stirrer. He’s really leaned into being an agitator with Michigan State, and that’s certainly something that the Flyers’ fanbase will appreciate.
On Friday, Martone’s assist came via a double deflection, leading to Russell’s goal just 38 seconds into the middle frame.
Danny Russell scores 38 seconds into the second period off a deflection! pic.twitter.com/nk2J0GQJkc
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) November 28, 2025
While he was held to just one assist in this series, Martone is still near the top of the leaderboards in freshman scoring — one point back from first — and was still generating offense both at even strength and on the power play. He’s now up to 10 goals and 9 assists through the first 14 games of the season.
Up next for Michigan State is a big challenge, with a home-and-home against the no. 1 ranked Michigan Wolverines next weekend. Previously ranked no. 1, Michigan State fell to no. 3 after losing both of their games against Wisconsin. They’ll be looking to ride the momentum of this weekend’s sweep to upset their top-ranked rival.
