EAST LANSING - As expected, piqued emotions once again played a key role in the heated Michigan-Michigan State hockey rivalry on Friday night.

But in a game that included 27 penalties and a testy scrum in the corner during a hotly-contested third period, it was the No. 13-ranked Spartans that made the most of their chances in a 3-2 victory over the Wolverines at Munn Ice Arena.

A late Chris Brown goal was waved off in the final minute, which allowed Michigan State to register its third win of the season over the Wolverines.

The regular-season series wraps up Saturday night at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.

"It's an emotional game and it's going to be another emotional battle tomorrow night," Michigan senior captain Chris Summers said. "But we're going to try and build off the last few minutes. It's a short carry-over and you definitely remember (what happened) and hopefully, the guys bring it in the first period."

Michigan (14-12-1, 9-9-1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association) fell into a 3-0 hole after Corey Tropp scored his second power-play goal of the night at the 2:51 mark of the third period. The Wolverines struggled all night - not only with penalties that Summers said got the best of Michigan in the loss - but with setting up serious scoring looks.

After tempers flared with Michigan State (17-8-4, 12-5-4 CCHA) still leading by three goals, the Wolverines found themselves with an extended advantage. Carl Hagelin took advantage of a 5-on-3 advantage, finally breaking the Wolverines' scoring drought, trimming the deficit to 3-1.

Louie Caporusso then notched Michigan's second power play goal of the period at 16:40, drawing the Wolverines to within a goal. In what proved to be an eventful final 3 minutes, both Michigan State and Michigan had goals disallowed, allowing Michigan State to hold on to the victory.

Brown's apparent game-tying goal with 31.8 seconds remaining with Michigan holding a 6-on-4 skater advantage was waved off immediately after game officials blew the play dead before the puck slid between the legs of Michigan State goalie Drew Palmisano. Officials did not review the play.

"There's too bad there has to be controversy," Michigan coach Red Berenson said. "Was the puck in, wasn't it in, should it have been a penalty or not? That's too bad. The players should determining these games."

Michigan struggled early - missing on several early power play chances. By the end, the Wolverines capitalized on only 2-of-10 chances while their power killing unit allowed the two Michigan State goals. Andrew Rowe scored the Spartans other goal in the win.

The Wolverines' biggest offensive opportunity came in the third period after Michigan State's Matt Grassi was called for a 5-minute penalty for grabbing the facemask during the scrum in the corner. Despite trailing by only a goal, Michigan failed to tally the equalizer as Palmisano turned in eight of his 22 saves in the third period, including at least two at point-blank range.

Despite getting 20 saves from Bryan Hogan, Michigan's early struggles were too much for the Wolverines to overcome. Berenson said that in vital series against an arch-rival, he needs more than a few players to play "above average" if the Wolverines are going to have a chance.

"You're disappointed to get behind like that," Berenson said. "You have to play better than that in the first period if you're going to put a team like that on their heels - and we didn't do that."

Jeff Arnold covers Michigan hockey for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at jeffarnold@annarbor.com or 734-623-2554. Follow him at Twitter @jeffreyparnold.