Michigan State grinds out home sweep of Minnesota, keeps rolling in Big Ten play

No. 2 Michigan State hockey kept rolling this weekend, completing a home sweep of Minnesota and extending a surge that now includes back-to-back sweeps after taking two at Wisconsin the previous weekend.

The Spartans followed a 3–1 win on Friday with a gritty 3–2 victory Saturday night at Munn Ice Arena, playing full 60-minute efforts both nights and continuing to look like one of the most dependable teams in the country. The sweep moved MSU to 19-5-0 overall and 10-4-0 in Big Ten play (30 points), just one point behind rival Michigan.

Saturday: Disciplined, Patient, Resilient

Minnesota struck first on Saturday despite an early Spartan penalty kill, but MSU never looked rattled. Goaltender Trey Augustine was sharp early, making multiple saves in the opening period to keep the game within reach and give the Spartans time to settle in.

That patience paid off during a 5-on-3 advantage. MSU stayed composed in the offensive zone, worked the puck into the slot, and after Charlie Stramel fired a hard shot, senior forward Daniel Russell buried the rebound to tie the game 1–1.

Photo credit: Joseph Wahoski/Spartans Illustrated

Early in the second period, MSU took its first lead when senior defenseman Matt Basgall scored, with Tommi Männistö picking up the assist. From there, the Spartans leaned on structure and goaltending, managing pucks more cleanly, getting shots through traffic, and limiting breakdowns.

Augustine finished the night with 29 saves and a .935 save percentage. Minnesota later converted a power-play goal to cut the lead, but MSU held firm late despite missing a few long empty-net chances. Augustine closed the door with several strong saves in the final moments to secure the 3–2 win.

Nightingale: "We dug in and got the job done"

Head coach Adam Nightingale credited both Minnesota’s push and his team’s resolve.

“Give them credit, they defended hard,” Nightingale said. “They were heavier on their sticks tonight than the night before.”

He also pointed to MSU’s mindset as the difference down the stretch.

“When we play on our toes, I think we’ve got a chance to be a pretty good team,” Nightingale said. “Trey had to make some saves to keep us in it. It would have been pretty easy to fall apart, and I thought we really dug in and got the job done.”

The win marked Michigan State’s first regulation home sweep of the Gophers since the 2018-19 season.

Playing for Something Bigger

The weekend carried added meaning following the passing of MSU director of hockey operations Dan Sturges on Jan. 19. The Spartans wore “DS” patches on their jerseys, while Minnesota added “DS” helmet stickers in a show of support.

“It was about honoring Dan and not about the scoreboard,” Nightingale said Friday night. “I would have been just as proud if the scoreboard said we lost.”

Saturday’s game also featured Star Wars Night — a fitting touch, as Nightingale wore one of Sturges’ Star Wars ties behind the bench. After the game, Sturges’ father joined the team to sing the fight song in the locker room.

Stramel said the sweep reflected a team that is steadily maturing.

Photo credit: Joseph Wahoski/Spartans Illustrated

“I thought we played a great game, full sixty last night and brought that into tonight as well,” he said. “We were good at managing pucks at times, getting pucks to the net — forty shots both games — and just continuing to grow each weekend.”

He also highlighted the Spartans’ depth and leadership, particularly from veterans like Basgall and Russell, who continue to set the tone in tight games.

Up Next

Michigan State now heads on the road to face Penn State Nittany Lions on Friday, Jan. 30, and Saturday, Jan. 31. Saturday’s matchup will be played outdoors at Beaver Stadium, another high-profile test