The Spartans were swept from the first round by the No. 7 seed Alaska and saw their hopes of a CCHA tournament run lost after a 10th-place finish in the regular season.

Retiring head coach Rick Comley likely coached in his final game at MSU, and the Spartans also saw their two seniors, forwards Dustin Gazley and Joey Shean, play in their final games.

MSU will look to the future with most of the players from this year’s team figuring to return next season, but was swept for just the second time in the second half of the season this weekend.

MSU (15-19-4 overall) was projected to finish in the third and fourth in the conference polls before the season, but struggled with consistency and finished in 10th place but only four out of sixth.

Sophomore forward Dean Chelios and Gazley scored late first-period goals to put the Spartans ahead, 2-1, at the end of the period Saturday.

The Nanooks responded with two more, but junior forward Brett Perlini tied the score in the final minute of the second period.

The teams didn’t score for the next two periods, but the Nanooks outlasted the Spartans when they scored early in the second overtime.

Alaska will play either No. 10 Notre Dame or No. 8 Miami (Ohio) in the second round, while the Spartans will hope to grow from this season and wish their departing players and coach the best.