Lansing Sun

Michigan State University (MSU) secured a 4-1 victory against Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio, on Friday night. This win allowed the Spartans to split the weekend series and improve their overall record to 21-4-3, with a 12-3-3 standing in Big Ten play. Ohio State's record fell to 16-8-2 and 9-6-1 in conference action.

The game remained scoreless through the first period. MSU then scored three goals in the second period and added an empty-net goal towards the end of the match. Ohio State managed one goal during the second period.

Tanner Kelly initiated scoring for MSU with his fifth goal of the season, although Ohio State quickly equalized. Isaac Howard regained the lead for MSU by stripping a defenseman of the puck and scoring his 21st goal of the season. Gavin O'Connell further extended MSU's lead after receiving a pass from Joey Larson.

Goalkeeper Trey Augustine made 22 saves for MSU, while Kristoffer Eberley recorded 25 saves for Ohio State.

Next weekend, MSU will face Michigan in two games. The first game is scheduled at home on Friday night at 7 p.m., followed by a Saturday match at Little Caesars Arena.

In statistical highlights, MSU limited Ohio State to just three shots on net during the opening period—the second-fewest this year—and outshot them overall with a tally of 29-23. The Buckeyes finished with 19 blocked attempts compared to their previous game's total of 25 blocks. Nicklas Andrews contributed four blocked shots for MSU out of their total of eleven.

Additional player contributions included Tanner Kelly's sixth goal assisted by Tommi Männistö and Tiernan Shoudy, Isaac Howard's national-leading 21st goal, Gavin O'Connell's fourth goal this season—his ninth against Ohio State—and Daniel Russell's twelfth goal into an empty net assisted by Charlie Stramel.

During each period:

In the first period, both teams focused on defense without sustaining offensive pressure; OSU had only three shots while MSU had seven.

In the second period, both teams scored early before Howard and O'Connell increased MSU’s lead.

The third period saw no scoring until Russell’s late empty-netter secured victory for MSU as they outshot OSU again with ten shots compared to nine from their hosts.