EAST LANSING >> The past couple of weeks couldn’t have gone much better for the Michigan State hockey team.

Starting goaltender Trey Augustine set a record for World Junior Championship wins en route to back-to-back gold medals with Team USA. Meanwhile, backup Luca Di Pasquo played four games in seven days to fill his shoes, winning all of them.

No doubt, the Spartans were sure to celebrate the accomplishments, too — maybe a little bit at Augustine’s expense when he got back home Monday.

“I came straight up to the rink to unload my gear, and then Luca and (goaltender) Dolan (Gilbert) surprised me. They were hiding out by my car, and they scared me pretty good,” Augustine said Wednesday, smiling. “But it was good to see them, and obviously coming in yesterday morning just seeing all the guys and how happy they were for me means a lot.”

Glory comes with its costs, whether jump scares or wear and tear. Both Augustine — the South Lyon native — and Di Pasquo are coming off dense schedules of hockey that put recovery at a premium. And yet, there’s a lot of hockey left on tap for No. 1 Michigan State (17-2-1, 8-1-1) to play, including today and Saturday’s series at Penn State (8-9-1, 1-8-1). Somebody has to step in the crease. Who exactly it’s going to be is less clear.

“We’ll sort all that out,” Michigan State coach Adam Nightingale said Tuesday. “We’ll make a decision on Friday that we think gives us the best chance to win a hockey game.”

It’s a little different for a skater. For example, defenseman Maxim Strbak played his fourth tournament with Slovakia this year, losing to eventual silver medalist Finland in the quarterfinal. He went through the wringer as well, but it’s a lot easier to ease him back with five other defensemen and an extra skater in the lineup any given night. There is no hiding a tired goaltender, and this weekend will be a bit of a test.

Michigan State has crossed this bridge before. Last season, Augustine played a whole lot of games at the World Juniors while Di Pasquo played two games at the Great Lakes Invitational.

Augustine came right back to his crease — funny enough, at Penn State. Augustine put up a shutout in the first game and saved 27 out of 30 shots the next night.

That experience helps Augustine know what to expect in this next week or so. That may help him recover a little quicker both physically and mentally. Eating good, sleeping good, resting up. Augustine knows the recipe. And as far as focusing on Michigan State now, he knows what that’s like, too.

“I think that’s a challenge of it, just staying present wherever I may be,” said Augustine, a Detroit Red Wings second-round pick in 2023. “Obviously went over in Canada and had to be fully dialed in and committed there. And then (I) come right back here and we’re just getting right back to it this weekend with Big Ten play. So I think for me, just kind of being able to realize that and just make sure I’m focused on the task at hand this weekend is important. I’m pretty sure I could do that.”

But Michigan State isn’t stuck putting Augustine through high usage. Nightingale also could ride with Di Pasquo a little longer. He’s proven he’s a reliable goaltender, probably capable of being a starter if he didn’t have a record-breaking teammate in front of him. As tired as he may be after playing an NHL-type schedule of four games in a week, this weekend might also be one of the few opportunities to start remaining on the season as Augustine retakes his crease. Di Pasquo is also a day fresher on the pitch count, not considering the jet lag of Augustine’s puddle jump from Ottawa to Detroit.

Di Pasquo certainly has the endorsement of Augustine. While a busy schedule in Ottawa kept him from keeping the closest tabs with his Spartans, he was impressed with how Di Pasquo played.

“Super proud of him, the way he handled himself and his business,” Augustine said Wednesday. “So I’m just overall glad for our team. Obviously played some big games that stretch, and I think they did a good job from what I’m hearing just sticking together and just kind of battling and being there for each other.”

Michigan State has a tough decision to make about this weekend’s goaltending duties, especially against a Penn State team that stylistically throws a lot of rubber on net. It’s a difficult game for a goaltender who’s been through so much usage. And it also affects preparation for the next batch of games, too.

It’s also a luxury for Michigan State to have to make this decision, and that’s not lost on the Spartans. There are two good goaltenders on the team, both of whom can be difference-makers in their own right. It’s a win-win, even if someone might be a little tired come Sunday.

“When Luca had to step in, that shows just the depth of our team,” forward Daniel Russell said Tuesday. “Missing one of our top guys doesn’t matter. We’re still a really good team.”