After earning series splits with its first two opponents, the Michigan State hockey team responded with an emphatic sweep of Long Island last weekend by a combined score of 11-5.
Now MSU (4-2) steps up in class with a Big Ten-opening road series against No. 12 Notre Dame (3-2-1).
The Big Ten has been a gauntlet over the past few seasons and looks to be just as strong as ever. Five of the seven programs are ranked within the top 18 in the USCHO national poll, led by No. 1 Minnesota and No. 4 Michigan.
Here are three things to watch for as MSU hits the road for Compton Family Ice Arena on Notre Dame's campus this weekend.