High Stakes Showdown: The Impact of the Minnesota Series on B1G Dynamics

THE ORIGINAL SIX

The essential details you should be aware of concerning Spartan hockey

•  No. 2/2 Michigan State persists in its three-game homestand by welcoming No. 4/3 Minnesota (19-5-2), as the Gophers follow MSU by just one point in the Big Ten rankings. The Spartans hold a record of 9-1 at home this season, boasting eight consecutive wins after an initial loss to No. 2 Boston College. MSU has engaged in 10 of its previous 12 matches outside of Munn Ice Arena, achieving a record of 8-2-2 in those encounters. With a record of 19-3-2, MSU is experiencing its finest start since 2000-01, a team that began with a 22-1-4 record.

•  Minnesota and MSU head into the matchup as the leading offenses as well as the foremost defenses in the Big Ten.  The Gophers top the nation with an average of 4.08 goals per game, while MSU averages 3.42 goals per game.  The Spartans’ defensive statistic (1.96 goals allowed per game) narrowly exceeds the Gophers’ 2.15 goals allowed per game.   MSU’s total of 82 goals this season is tied for third place (with BU) nationally, trailing only Minnesota (106) and Denver (85).

• The line of Charlie Stramel centering Isaac Howard and Daniel Russell has played together in 13 of MSU’s 24 matches, accumulating a total of 50 points during those games.  Stramel received Big Ten Second Star of the Week accolades after netting two goals (one shorthanded and one game-winner) along with an assist on Saturday against Michigan at home.  His scoring line of 8-13-21 in 24 games surpasses the combined total of 8-12-20 he recorded over two seasons at Wisconsin.  Howard notched three assists on Saturday, matching his career high.  He leads the nation in goals (18), goals per game (0.75), points (36), and points per game (1.5), and ranks fourth in the Big Ten in assists per game (0.75).  Russell is second on the team for goals (10) and third in points behind his line mates (18) in the Big Ten.  Russell also leads the nation in game-winning goals with six, while Stramel follows closely with four.

• Karsen Dorwart and Joey Larson have skated together for the past 11 matches and were joined by Gavin O’Connell on their wing against Michigan, collectively scoring 2-4-6.  Throughout their last 11 games, Dorwart has maintained an average of one point per game (5-6-11), only trailing behind Howard and Stramel, and has a scoring line of 7-11-18.  Larson stands third on the team in goals (8) and has improved his scoring line to 8-7-15 with a goal and two assists during the Michigan series.    

•  Alternate captain Matt Basgall netted MSU’s first goal in the victory over Michigan on Saturday, matching his freshman total of four goals.  His current scoring line of 4-12-16 leads among defensemen and ranks fifth on the team overall.   Basgall shares the team lead in power-play goals (3, 9th B1G) with Joey Larson.  On Saturday, Basgall participated in his 100th career game with the Spartans alongside fellow classmates Tiernan Shoudy and Daniel Russell.

•  Trey Augustine  blocked 63 of 67 shots faced during the split with Michigan, allowing four goals (.940 save percentage, 1.98 GAA).  Friday marked his initial overtime defeat since Nov. 26, 2023, while playing away at Minnesota.   The sophomore continues to lead the Big Ten and sits sixth nationally in wins (12), alongside save percentage (.932, T-9th NCAA), and is second in shutouts (2, T-9th NCAA).  He ranks third in goals against average (1.97, 13th NCAA) as well.  Additionally, he stands second in the conference for games played (17) and minutes played (1033:17).