Michigan State hockey returned home on Friday night and picked up an emotional convincing victory over Minnesota.
The Spartans led throughout en route to a 3-1 victory over the Golden Gophers. This was the Spartans first game since the tragic unexpected passing of Director of Hockey Operations Dan Sturges earlier this week.
Michigan State was first to strike in this weekend series opener, with Ryker Lee finding the back of the net on a beautiful backhand shot. He did a spin move to create a wide open net, and blew the backhand shot in for a 1-0 lead. That would be the lone goal in the opening period, with Michigan State taking a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
Michigan State would add to its lead with another goal in the second period, this time coming from Gavin O’Connell. It was about halfway through the period when O’Connell was able to burry an odd-man rush opportunity to put the Spartans up two goals. Again, it was one lone goal from the Spartans in the period, with Michigan State going into the second intermission up 2-0.
The Spartans would find the back of the net early into the third period on a one-timer from Maxim Štrbák. The goal from Štrbák came only three minutes into the period, and ultimately was the game-clinching goal for the Spartans. Minnesota would finally break through for their first goal of the night to end Trey Augustine’s shutout.
With the win, Michigan State improves to 18-5-0 overall on the year and 9-4-0 in Big Ten play. The Spartans are now only four points behind rival Michigan in the Big Ten standings. The Wolverines are off this weekend.
Michigan State and Minnesota will return to the ice for the final game of the weekend series on Saturday. Faceoff from Munn Ice Arena is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, with this one being televised on the Big Ten Network.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU hockey picks up emotional victory over Minnesota
