So, which one is it?

Early in the season, with low expectations and a roster full of Rick Comley’s leftovers, the Spartans raised eyebrows and inspired thoughts of cautious optimism with wins against Western Michigan, Northern Michigan and Minnesota.

Just last week, the Spartans were a team in control of their own destiny on the road to the CCHA Playoffs. Home ice advantage was in sight and seemed possible.

The tides have turned. Being swept this weekend by Ferris State all but robs them of that opportunity.

Not only are the Spartans in the middle of a 3-6-3 stretch — dipping below .500 in CCHA play — but now have been swept for the third time this season and can’t seem to seize momentum.

They also aren’t grinding out tight games and have lost eighth one-goal decisions this year, including two this weekend. Toss in one power play goal in more than 30 chances and the source of the problem becomes apparent.

Regardless of the time of the season, there’s never a good time to be swept. When trying to make a run to the top of the CCHA standings and secure home-ice advantage, being swept at this point goes over like Newt Gingrich at a racial tolerance convention — poorly, to say the least.

All joking aside, having to face Ohio State, Michigan, Alaska and Notre Dame for its final eight games makes the road to the CCHA Playoffs seem daunting. It also throws a wrench in the possibility of securing an at-large NCAA Tournament bid, unless the Spartans make an unprecedented sprint to the finish.

As much as the team fooled many into believing it were close to a polished product in Tom Anastos’ first season, injuries, a difficult schedule and a lack of size have hindered the opportunity to do anything but be competitive.

It’s not that sheer competitiveness and effort are a bad thing. After all being competitive on the ice is more than the past several MSU hockey squads could claim. At this time last season, the program was practically counting the days until Comley stepped away.

Anastos quickly has raised the bar and the expectation was for the team to parlay its first-half success into a home CCHA Playoff game. The team had the talent, if not the size, to make that a possibility.

With the setup of the CCHA Playoffs that guarantees each team a game, the season isn’t quite over. Despite a second-half swoon, the goal to win a playoff game is within sight during the first week of March, and you can bet the players will be gunning for it.

But when the lights are the brightest, which team will show up? Stay tuned.