EAST LANSING– Michigan State forward Isaac Howard took a serpentine route before closing the game with a shootout goal to give the Spartans an extra point over No. 4/3 Minnesota in the Big Ten standings.
Nationally, the game will go under the Spartans record as a tie, but winning a shootout gives MSU an extra point over the Gophers, closing the weekend with a five-point advantage over Minnesota in the Big Ten standings.
Coming off a 9-3 rout on Friday night, the Spartans knew it would be a tough task to close the sweep against a top five team in the country.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be a six-goal game again today,” said MSU alternate captain Matt Basgall.
The Spartans controlled the zone time for most of the first period but had nothing to show for it. Then, Basgall connected on a one-timer from the point to give MSU a 1-0 lead. For the second straight weekend, Basgall set the tone, scoring the first in the second game of the series.
MSU goaltender Trey Augustine continues to start games strong, over the All-American’s last four starts he has not allowed a single goal in the first period.
The second period has been the Spartans’ highest scoring period all season, this game was no exception to that trend.
“We pride ourselves on being a good second period team,” said MSU forward Tanner Kelly.
In similar fashion to game one, the Gophers came out of the gates hot to start the second period. Minnesota captain Jimmy Snuggerud was able to sneak one by Augustine’s blocker side to level the score at one.
Less than two minutes later, Spartans forward Joey Larson answered right back to regain the lead, with his ninth goal of the season.
Larson had a few scoring opportunities early on, targeting the low glove side of Gophers goaltender Liam Souliere. Larson was able to get a clear shooting lane and went right back to that same spot.
But the Spartans lead would not last long as Snuggerud was credited for the Gophers’ second goal, which took an odd bounce off the back of Augustine, into the back of the net, tying the game, 2-2.
After Kelly scored his sixth goal of the season, to give MSU a 3-2 advantage, it seemed as though the Spartans would take the lead into the final frame.
However, MSU center Charlie Stramel committed a penalty, which the Gophers capitalized on in the waning second of the period, making it a 3-3 game going into the third period.
Both top teams played a very disciplined game, only committing one penalty aside.
It seemed like the scoring onslaught would continue in the third period, but it would be the first scoreless period of the series, taking the game into overtime.
There was no action in overtime either, meaning the two teams at the top of the Big Ten Standings went to a shootout to decide who gets the extra point in the standings.
“It’s always good to not finish in a tie,” Nightingale said.
MSU forward Daniel Russell and Howard would score, and Augustine held strong, not allowing anything past him to win the shootout.
The Spartans will be on the road next, on Thursday, Jan. 30 to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes at 8 p.m.
