Michigan

Michigan State hockey responds with 4-1 home victory over Michigan

Published

1 year ago

January 19, 2025

Michigan State hockey responds with 4-1 home victory over Michigan

EAST LANSING – Lansing State Journal sports reporter Nathaniel Bott breaks down No. 1 Michigan State hockey’s 4-1 win against No. 10 Michigan on Saturday night at Munn Ice Arena.

What happened

MSU came into Saturday night looking for revenge after dropping Friday’s game to the Wolverines in overtime. And with the help from the home crowd, the Spartans jumped out to an early lead and didn’t look back.

Junior forward Charlie Stramel had two goals and an assist, while junior forward Isaac Howard improved his NCAA-leading point total with three helpers as the Spartans skated away with a 4-1 rivalry win on Saturday. MSU earned four points on the weekend to jump back into first place in the Big Ten standings.

After killing an early penalty, the Spartans got a chance on the man advantage and found the back of the net quickly, with junior defenseman Matt Basgall blasting a shot from the point that got through U-M goaltender Logan Stein.

Another shot from the point later in the period was saved initially, but Stramel battled in front of the net before eventually batting in the loose puck just over the goal line to extend MSU’s lead.

The Spartans earned another chance on the man advantage in the second period, and junior forward Joey Larson ripped a one-timer that freshman forward Shane Vansaghi tipped in front of the Wolverine net for MSU’s third goal of the game.

Special teams continued to play a big role for MSU, who, after two power-play goals, converted on a shorthanded opportunity. Sophomore defenseman Austin Oravetz delivered a stretch pass to Howard, who slid the puck over to Stramel for a one-time shot that beat Stein and put MSU up 4-0.

UM got on the board during a late power play with T.J. Hughes beating MSU goaltender Trey Augustine, who nearly had a shutout. Augustine made 34 saves on the night, while Stein had 28 stops for the Wolverines.

Some theatrics ensued late in the game, with Michigan’s Jacob Truscott receiving a five-minute major and game misconduct for direct contact to the head on a hit to Stramel. MSU defensemen Patrick Geary and Maxim Strbak took exception, with Strbak ultimately receiving a 10-minute misconduct.

After the final horn, Michigan defenseman Hunter Hady received a game misconduct and disqualification for face-masking Vansaghi. Hady will have to miss the next game for the Wolverines.

What it means

MSU missed a big opportunity on the road on Friday night, leading and controlling most of the game before the Wolverines found a late equalizer and eventual overtime winner.

Despite an early penalty, MSU was again the aggressor, this time scoring twice in the opening frame to establish itself. MSU’s special teams were the key, scoring twice on the power play and once shorthanded to balloon its lead to four goals in the second period.

Wolverines had seven of the first eight shots in the second period with several grade-A chances, but Augustine stood tall on each one. Augustine can get locked in during a game to the point where it seems impossible to beat him – at least on a shot that he can see. Augustine had that feeling on Saturday night.

Howard and Stramel continue to drive MSU’s offense, with Howard equaling his total points from last season after recording three assists tonight. With two goals and an assist, Stramel now has eight goals and 13 assists — more points in total than his two seasons at Wisconsin combined.

What they said

MSU coach Adam Nightingale, on the game overall: “It was a good response for our group, and we were a lot more determined offensively and played more on the inside tonight. I thought the crowd was awesome and they were really into it. It was a good win for our program and thankful to be a part of this rivalry. It’s a blessing that forces you to be better and it forces you and pushes you to improve and we did that.”

Nightingale, on Howard and Stramel performing well: “I thought they were a little quiet the night before, and when we sat down with them, we wanted them to play more direct, and they did tonight. Howard is having a great year for us, and he’s really improved. It’s been cool for me to have known him since he was 16 years old and watching his game grow, and he still has room to grow. We trust him, and he’s made big-time plays. And then (Stramel) is a young hockey player who continues to get better and got in better shape so he can play the way we want him to and he wants to. That line needs to continue to be consistent for us.”

Howard, on special teams coming up big: “Our special teams played really well tonight, with power-play goals and shorthanded goals. It’s crucial for success in a game or series, and it’s good we are clicking at a good pace in both of those areas.”

Stramel, on playing in the rivalry: “It’s an emotional game playing these guys, especially losing a tough one last night, but it was big to be able to bounce back and play a full 60 minutes tonight. You go into it like any other game, maybe get up for it a little more subconsciously, but it’s a fun weekend to play in, lots of emotions flying around and guys who don’t like each other, but that makes the game fun.”

What’s next

MSU will stay home next Friday and Saturday, hosting No. 3 Minnesota for a two-game series.

Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on X @Nathaniel_Bott and Bluesky @nathanielbott.bsky.social

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Michigan

Michigan launches new online form to track harmful algal blooms

Published

10 hours ago

May 29, 2026

Press Room

Michigan launches new online form to track harmful algal blooms

As temperatures rise in Michigan each summer, so to do the chances of harmful algal blooms (HABs) developing in our lakes, causing a risk to both ecosystems and public health.

HABs are formed wherever there is rapid growth of cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, which are naturally found in lakes, rivers and ponds. Some cyanobacteria found in blooms contain toxins that can be harmful to people and animals, and often present as blue-green, yellow or brown streaks, foam, or thick paint-like scums on the water surface, according to the Michigan Departments of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

To help keep track of these harmful algal blooms across the state, EGLE has teamed up with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to update its online reporting form to include harmful algal blooms. Now the public can easily report suspected HABs to the state by filling out the form at Michigan.gov/HABs. Individuals can also make a report by calling EGLE’s Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662-9278.

“This new online form is an easy and efficient way for Michiganders to help monitor and safeguard our water resources,” said Jerrod Sanders, director of Water Resources Division at EGLE, in a news release. “This tool improves efficiency and helps us respond to potential risks more effectively.”

It will also allow EGLE and MDHHS staff to better understand how HABs develop, and creates the potential to send out public notifications about what areas to avoid as a way of keeping people and pets safe when they’re detected.

Breathing in or swallowing water with HAB toxins can cause asthma-like symptoms, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, runny eyes and nose, weakness, headaches or dizziness. Skin contact can also cause rashes, blisters or hives.

“If you had contact with or swallowed water with a suspected HAB and feel sick, call your health care provider or seek medical attention as soon as possible,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive.

Locations of HAB reports verified by EGLE and results of cyanotoxin testing will be displayed on the Michigan Harmful Algal Bloom Reports Map for the public to review.

For more information on health effects, causes and reports on the occurrence of HABs in Michigan lakes, visit Michigan.gov/HABs.

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Michigan

Lake Michigan beaches have added more safety features, but is it enough?

Published

22 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Press Room

Lake Michigan beaches have added more safety features, but is it enough?

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Beach season is here, and Lake Michigan is the most popular of the Great Lakes for swimming. However, it can also be the most dangerous.

According to the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project, 81 people drowned in the Great Lakes in 2025. 36 of those drownings, or almost half, happened in Lake Michigan.

“Even an Olympic swimmer is not going to swim against the rip current,” Pat Whelan, Plainwell district supervisor for the Michigan DNR Parks and Recreation Division, said.

What makes a rip current so dangerous is the natural instinct to try and swim back to shore. However, it is not the way to escape.

“It’s a term called ‘flip, float, and follow,’ where you flip on your back so you can breathe,” Whelan said. “Follow that, float on the top of that current and follow it out into the lake until you can feel it release you. Then you’re going to swim parallel to the shore, and then the waves themselves will help push you back into the shore.”

It’s been more than 20 years since Andy Fox, 17, drowned in a rip current at Grand Haven State Park, but the pain is still fresh for his mother, Vicki Cech, who rarely goes to the beach.

“When I have company in, sometimes I’ll walk out on the pier, but as a rule I just don’t go there anymore,” Cech said. “Not that beach, because that one does have a lot of sad memories for me.”

Pictured is Andy Fox, 17, in this undated photo. Fox drowned in a rip current at Grand Haven State Park in 2006. (Cech/WWMT)

Compared to other Lake Michigan beaches, Grand Haven State Park has added safety features as conditions are known to change rapidly.

Grand Haven uses the color warning system, but at other beaches, they have flags.

At Grand Haven State Park, however, there is an electronic lighting system on an orange tower. When the life ring on that tower is pulled, Ottawa County dispatch is alerted right away.

Blue towers on the beach are equipped with cameras, providing a video feed of what is happening where the life ring was pulled.

Electric lights instead of flags are used to alert people of swimming conditions at Grand Haven State Park.

“They can push the bottom and actually talk back and forth with central dispatch,” Whelan said.

Alongside these additions, Cech would like to see lifeguards on Grand Haven’s beaches.

“I know there’s all kinds of different things we have down there. Life rings closer to the water and everything like that,” Cech said. “But I’d say the only thing which I see South Haven has finally gotten lifeguards, the ultimate would be lifeguards.”

Michigan got rid of lifeguards at state parks in the 1990’s. The DNR said it was a combination of cost and liability concerns.

South Haven, however, welcomed lifeguards back to the city’s beaches for the first time in 25 years on Monday.

Those lifeguards do not yet have chairs and towers yet, but they will be posted between each flag section, with green, yellow and red colors marking that day’s swimming conditions.

More information about the Great Lakes Surf Rescue Project can be found online.

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The 5 most important recruits officially visiting Michigan Football this summer

Published

1 day ago

May 28, 2026

Press Room

The 5 most important recruits officially visiting Michigan Football this summer

As official visits commence this upcoming weekend, let’s take a look at the five most important recruits officially visiting Michigan this summer.

Five-star CB Joshua Dobson, June 12

247Sports “only” has Dobson ranked 43rd nationally. Meanwhile, their composite says he is the 11th-best player in the entire class. Regardless of what the analysts think of the versatile Dobson, he would be a fantastic get for the Wolverines.

Four-stars Tavares Harrington and Darius Johnson, along with three-star Charles Woodson Jr. and three-star Maxwell Miles form an excellent foundation for the class’s secondary. Dobson would not only be the cherry on top, but the hot fudge, sprinkles and peanuts, too.

Here is what he said about Michigan, according to Rivals’ Keegan Pope ($):

“Man, they’re definitely up there. Not a lot of people talk about them in my recruitment, which I don’t know why, but Michigan is strong.”

Four-star WR Dakota Guerrant, June 19

We all know about Guerrant and the Wolverines’ interest in the Harper Woods, Michigan, product. Landing four-star Quentin Burrell does ease some of the pressure of adding a potentially elite playmaker on the perimeter, especially with Oregon playing a significant role in Guerrant’s recruitment, too.

Those Ducks appear to be a serious obstacle. Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong recently talked about Guerrant’s potential pairing with Oregon on “The Wiltfong Whiparound” and how he loves their offense.

Perhaps that marriage is set in stone and Michigan is simply entertaining him on the visit. Perhaps Whittingham and Ron Bellamy can sway the in-stater to stay home.

Three-star edge rusher Ifeanyi Emedobi, June 19

The Wolverines are trending up for the Fort Wayne, Indiana edge rusher. Emedobi may seem a bit redundant with Recarder Kitchen and Jayce Brewer already preparing to don the maize and blue. However, perhaps there are plans for either of the 6-foot-6 Kitchen or 6-foot-5 Brewer to play a more complete defensive lineman role, rather than pure edge work, which feels more likely for someone of Emedobi’s stature (6-foot-1.5, 215 pounds).

Emedobi also only recently started playing football, so who knows where he ends up at the collegiate level. Considering his final four includes Penn State, Indiana and Minnesota, let’s hope Michigan — not the conference foes — gets to solve that question.

Three-star WR Charles Britton III, June 19

Another in-state wide receiver, Britton III, aka “Tre,” hails from Belleville but is drawing heavy interest from Missouri, according to Rivals.

Here is what he had to say about Michigan, via Rivals’ Allen Trieu ($):

“Really, just like being so close to home,” Britton said. “I get to visit them whenever I want really, so I can just get to see how things are going with them. They could take up with me whenever they want too. They’re in my face more, I’d say, because they’re right down the street, so I get to go to them, they get to go to me as many times as possible. So I’m just putting in new relationships and building them fast. It really is — they’re Michigan.”

The official visit should help determine if this is simply love for the hometown school or a legitimate interest in being a Wolverine.

Four-star IOL Lincoln Mageo, June 5

Mageo, from Oceanside, California, may not be regarded as a blue chip prospect, but this is a program that does not necessarily need the most highly touted trenchmen to develop stars. Mageo recently talked to Maize n Brew and praised offensive line coach Jim Harding.

“I loved watching coach Harding break down technique during indy period so that everyone could understand,” Mageo said. “That is the type of coaching that I’m looking for. A coach who takes time to break down technique and focuses on development.

Four-star Jakari Lipsey, and three-stars Sidney Rouleau and Louis Esposito make up the offensive line group in this cycle so far.

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