After Early Struggles, Sticking to It Pays Off for Michigan State Seniors
by Marin Klein/CHN Reporter
Michigan State defenseman David Gucciardi was faced with the worst-case scenario just two minutes into the Big Ten Championship game.
The blueliner took a hard open-ice hit from Ohio State’s Patrick Guzzo. His leg was caught under him as he took an awkward fall into the boards. Gucciardi was down on the ice and couldn’t get up. His final game in Munn Ice Arena and he was hoisted between his teammates, unable to put any weight on his left ankle.
By the time the second period rolled around, fans saw No. 7 step back onto the ice and begin playing some of his best hockey of the season. Gucciardi ended the night with an assist and many crucial defensive plays throughout the double overtime before lifting the Big Ten championship trophy over his head for the second consecutive year.
Gucciardi’s assist in the championship game came on fellow senior forward Tanner Kelly’s goal. Both Gucciardi and Kelly are four-year seniors for Michigan State, the only seniors that have been in East Lansing from start to finish. They have seen some of the highest points for Michigan State hockey over their time, but also some of the lowest.
“My freshman year I never really thought this is where we would end up,” Kelly said. “Me and [Gucciardi] have talked about it a lot. We’re just super proud of how far we have come and just sticking with it.”
The pair came to Michigan State as true freshmen in 2021, a year before head coach Adam Nightingale was hired. They witnessed playing in half-empty rinks on a team that went 12-23-1 overall, registering only six conference wins. Just one year in playing college hockey and the players were experiencing a coaching change and a program reset. Nightingale came in with a new mindset and system of play. Many players chose to enter the transfer portal, but Gucciardi and Kelly, along with other upperclassmen at the time, were in for the ride.
“Michigan State in general is just special. I don’t think you run away from your problems, especially when you fall in love with the school, the campus, Munn and the fans,” Gucciardi said. “The season didn’t go the way we wanted our freshman year, but we had all these other things we…
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