Ron Mason Rink at Munn Ice Arena | Michigan State University Athletics
Ron Mason Rink at Munn Ice Arena | Michigan State University Athletics
No. 2 Michigan State secured a decisive 9-3 victory over No. 4 Minnesota in East Lansing, Michigan, on Friday night. The Spartans scored four goals in both the second and third periods to achieve their win against the Gophers.
Michigan State's Maxim Štrbák led all players with a career-best four points, while Isaac Howard and David Gucciardi each contributed two goals. "The Spartans are the first team to 20 victories in college hockey this season," according to team records.
Goalkeeper Trey Augustine made 27 saves for Michigan State, helping maintain their lead throughout the game. Despite Minnesota's efforts to tie the score twice at 1-1 and 2-2, MSU quickly regained control within seconds of each equalizer.
Minnesota's starting goalie Nathan Airey was replaced after allowing three goals in a span of four minutes during the second period. The Spartans held a significant advantage with a 42-30 edge in shots on net and dominated faceoffs with a success rate of nearly 69%.
With this victory, Michigan State extended its lead in the Big Ten standings to four points ahead of Minnesota and eleven points ahead of Ohio State. The teams will conclude their season series on Saturday at Munn Arena.
Isaac Howard achieved his national bests with two goals and an assist, reaching twenty goals and thirty-nine points for the season. His performance places him as MSU's first twenty-goal scorer since Corey Tropp in the 2019-2020 season.
David Gucciardi added two more goals during the second period, marking his first multi-goal game since December 2021. Daniel Russell also had a productive night with one goal and two assists.
Charlie Stramel excelled by winning twenty-one out of twenty-five faceoffs while contributing one goal and one assist. Tommi Männistö recorded his first multiple-point game this season with one goal and one assist.
Patrick Geary scored his first goal of the season late in the third period, concluding Michigan State's scoring run.
The Spartans' win marks their most significant margin over Minnesota since they began competing against each other in 1926.
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