Martone makes his mark as CHL additions fuel Michigan-Michigan State heavyweight clash
DETROIT, Michigan – With less than four minutes remaining in the first period, with Michigan State on the power play, freshman forward Porter Martone paused, allowed the screen to develop and ripped a wrist shot into the upper corner to give the Spartans an early 2-0 lead.
It was a statement goal for Michigan State, which on the strength of that goal and a dominant first period, defeated Michigan 5-2 in battle of the No. 1 and No. 2-ranked teams in the country, splitting the weekend set after top-ranked Michigan had won Friday night at home in overtime.
Better yet, the whole weekend was a statement about college hockey in Michigan, the national championship chase, and the immediate impact new CHL-to-NCAA rule changes have only strengthened the Spartans' and Wolverines' title hopes.
While Michigan and Michigan State’s foundations are still built largely on more “traditional” recruiting paths (for example, all 13 defenders dressed were either USHL or NTDP products), both programs enhanced their lineup by pulling from the CHL.
Michigan, which three years earlier lost out on when Trey Augustine flipped his commitment to Michigan State, found the goaltending backbone it’s been lacking with Jack Ivankovic, who returned to the lineup on Saturday after missing five games with a lower body injury.
In addition to Ivankovic, the Wolverines have also had instant contributions from former CHLer Malcolm Spence, while former OHL defender Henry Mews was dominating puck possession before suffering a season-ending injury against Notre Dame in early November.
The Spartans, who were the runner-up in the Gavin McKenna sweepstakes, have built an efficient third line around Cayden Lindstrom and Anthony Romani, while Martone has turned into potential Hobey Baker Finalist with 36 points in 26 games for Michigan State.
For Martone, who also captained Canada at the 2026 World Junior Championships, the jump to college hockey from the CHL has been a boon to his development. He’s a power forward that has somehow gotten more powerful and difficult to handle, he’s added more strength to his game and he’s become college hockey’s top antagonist, ranking fourth in the nation in penalty minutes.
For Michigan State, Martone has filled the void left by reigning Hobey Baker winner Isaac Howard. Most notably in the recruiting space, his instant success has helped solidify the Spartans long-term as a destination for CHLers looking to go the NCAA route.
Ivankovic has done something similar for Michigan, which for years struggled to find a goalie recruit that fit the rest of the roster, and Michigan coach Brandon Naurato has called him the backbone of the team.
It's fitting that two programs are being so heavily impacted by a pair of friends. Martone and Ivankovic are former teammates with the Brampton Steelheads and on Team Canada. They speak regularly during the season, and Martone said he lives with Ivankovic in the offseason when he’s in Toronto.
That friendship was put on hold this week, understandably so, and will likely be put on hold next month during the Big Ten Tournament.