No. 2 Michigan State hockey sweeps Minnesota at Munn Ice Arena

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – Michigan State hockey earns a sweep of Minnesota at home for the first time since the 2018-19 season. 

The No. 2 Spartans defeated the Golden Gophers on Saturday, 3-2, and picked up their fourth straight win.

After falling behind in the first period, MSU evened things up on a 5-on-3 power play goal by Daniel Russell. It was the 8th goal of the season for Russell and made for a 1-1 game after the first period. 

Less than three minutes into the second period, the Spartans took their first lead of the night. Captain Matt Basgall scored his 3rd goal of the season and first since scoring against Boston on Oct. 18.

It was the lone goal of the period and gave the Spartans a lead 2-1 entering the third period. 

Tommi Mannisto grew the MSU lead to 3-1 with his 9th goal of the season, less than four minutes into the third period. 

The Golden Gophers got a goal back with 7:24 to play, but that would be the final goal. 

With the victory on Saturday, MSU gets within a point of No. 1 Michigan in the Big Ten standings. 

The Spartans will travel to Penn State next weekend. The finale of the series will be played outdoors at Beaver Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 1 p.m. 

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