B1G Play Resumes With Visit From Gophers


[RV] Michigan State (11-8-1, 5-5-0 B1G) vs. [9/11] Minnesota (10-8-0, 6-4-0 B1G )
Dates/Times	Friday, Jan. 7, 6:30 pm \| Saturday, Jan. 8, 7:30 pm
Location	Munn Ice Arena, East Lansing, Mich.
Tickets	Spartan Ticket Office Ph: 517-355-1610 \| Gameday Answers
Radio	Spartan Media Network *Games air live on WJIM 1240 AM* Scott Moore (pxp) and Rob Woodward (Analysis) Broadcast on the Web: Friday \| Saturday
Television	Big Ten Network
Webstreams	FoxSports App
Live Statistics	Click Here
Game Notes	Michigan State \| Minnesota
Social Media	Facebook Twitter Instagram
Game Program	Download this week's digital game program

Effective January 1, 2022, Michigan State athletics will require spectators at all indoor athletic events to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event.
Michigan State's indoor mask mandate remains in effect for all home athletic events. Please visit the FAQ page for more information.

WEEKEND PARTICULARS
• The remaining 14 games on the Michigan State schedule are all in Big Ten play, and the first series of the new year comes at Munn Ice Arena this weekend when No. 9/11 Minnesota comes to town.

• Both games will air live on the Big Ten Network. Ben Holden (pxp) and Fred Pletsch (analysis) will have the call from Munn Ice Arena.

• Scott Moore and Rob Woodward will call the action on the Spartan Media Network. The games this week will air live on WJIM 1240 AM in the Lansing area, as well as on the web via MSUSpartans.com.

THE MINNESOTA SERIES
• Minnesota holds a 125-50-16 record all-time against the Spartans, including a 51-30-8 mark in games played in East Lansing. The Spartans won five of eight meetings between the teams in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, but dropped all five games to Minnesota (including an overtime heartbreaker in the Big Ten Tournament) in the Covid-impacted 2020-21 campaign.

• Minnesota enters the weekend with a 10-8-0 overall record and is 6-4-0 in Big Ten play. The Gophers earned a pair of exhibition wins earlier this week, a 5-2 win last Sunday vs. St. Thomas and a 5-3 victory over the USNTDP at Marriucci Arena on Monday. Minnesota last played a Big Ten series Dec. 3-4 at Michigan, splitting those games 5-1 and 2-6.

• Bob Motzko is in his fourth season as the head coach of the Gophers, and previously was the bench boss for 13 seasons at his alma mater, St. Cloud State. He owns a 344-237-60 mark overall in his 17 seasons as a head coach.

• Spartan Active Career Scoring / Goaltending vs. Minnesota

Mitchell Lewandowski: 17 GP, 8-6--14
Dennis Cesana: 13 GP, 3-3--6
Cole Krygier: 11 GP., 2-1--3
Josh Nodler: 9 GP, 1-2--3
Adam Goodsir: 12 GP, 1-1--2
Kyle Haskins: 5 GP, 1-0--1
Christian Krygier: 13 GP, 0-1-1
Nicolas Muller: 9 GP, 0-1--1

Pierce Charleson: 2 GP., 1.61 GAA, .958 Sv%
Drew DeRidder: 6 GP, 4.11 GAA, .878 Sv%

TEAM NOTES
• MSU is among the teams receiving votes in each of the last five USCHO.com polls. This week, six of the seven Big Ten teams are ranked (Michigan, Notre Dame, Minnesota, Ohio State) or receiving votes (MSU, Penn State). In the USA Hockey poll, Ohio State is receiving votes, but MSU and PSU are not.

• The Spartans have played just three of their 10 Big Ten games at Munn Ice Arena, the most recent a Nov. 19-20 series against Wisconsin. The Spartans are 2-1 at home in B1G play. Overall, the Spartans have played 10 games on the road and 10 at home, and are 7-3-0 at Munn Ice Arena this season.

• With a 7-3-0 mark at Munn Ice Arena, the Spartans have as many wins at home as MSU has earned in any of the last three seasons. MSU won seven home games in both 2018-19 and 2019-20, and just five in 2020-21.

• The Spartans last had double-digit victories in their home rink in 2011-12, winning nine home games in 2013-14 and 2014-15 and eight in 2012-13 and 2017-18.

• Michigan State split its two Big Ten Conference series on the road in December, winning Saturday tilts after dropping the Friday games at both Penn State and Notre Dame. MSU was 3-3 overall in December, with a pair of OT wins over No. 8 Notre Dame and No. 18 Michigan Tech.

• MSU's strength of schedule ranks fifth nationally overall, and the fourth toughest for remaining games. The Big Ten schools occupy the top seven slots in strength of schedule rankings.

• The Spartans are 7-3 in one-goal contests and 2-2 in two-goal games - and all four of those had an empty-net goal for the final margin. Each of MSU's last six games were either one- or two-goal efforts.

• MSU is 7-0-0 when scoring three or more goals and is 4-7-1 when held to two or less. Meanwhile, the Spartans are 7-0-1 when allowing two goals or fewer.

• MSU's power play is at .222, converting on 14 of 63 chances to rank third in the Big Ten and 17th nationally. The penalty kill (.836, 61-73) is second in the Big Ten and 23rd among D1 programs.

• MSU has successfully killed off 10 consecutive penalties dating back to the first game at Notre Dame (12/10), and has not allowed a PPG in any of its last three contests. Michigan State scored a power play goal in each of its last two games.

• MSU's scoring defense, allowing 2.50 goals per game, is fourth in the Big Ten and 18th nationally.

• With an average of 12.15 penalty minutes per game, the Spartans rank fourth in the Big Ten. Only eight times in 20 games has MSU had more penalty minutes than its opponent.

• MSU leads the Big Ten with 287 blocked shots (14.35 per game).

• In nine of MSU's 11 wins, the game-winner has come in the third period or later. In seven of the nine, the goal has been scored in the final seven minutes or OT, and five with four minutes or less remaining or in OT. The latest in regulation was a 19:40 goal that capped a three-goal third period at Ferris State. MSU's last two wins came in OT at Notre Dame and at home against Michigan Tech.

• MSU has scored 21 third -period goals and two in OT, two fewer than in the first (15) and second (10) periods combined. MSU has surrendered its fewest goals in the third period, however - allowing 15 compared to 15 in the first and 19 in the second (and one in OT). Overall, MSU has been outscored by a 48-50 margin this season.

• The Spartans sit at 5-5-0 in the Big Ten, which is fifth (14 points). Michigan leads the way with a 7-5-0 B1G record, but has played two more games than the rest of the field. Minnesota, Ohio State and Notre Dame are all 6-4, and Wisconsin and Penn State are both 3-7.

• Danton Cole won his 50th game as the Spartan head coach at Ohio State (Oct. 29). He has won more than 500 games in his 21 seasons as a head coach (529-456-60).

• MSU ranks seventh in both overall and average attendance, welcoming 53,950 fans over 10 home dates. (5,395 average).

PLAYER NOTES - FORWARDS
• Griffin Loughran had assists on three of MSU's goals in the GLI, and on the season owns a 3-9--12 scoring line with a pair of power-play markers. He is second on the team in penalties (12) and penalty minutes (32).

• Loughran has 84 career points, good for second among active players (38g, 46a). He will skate in his 109th and 110th career games this weekend against the Gophers.

• Josh Nodler scored his fifth goal of the season against Michigan Tech, his first goal since the Ferris State series in November. Nodler ranks in a tie with linemate Loughran for third on the team in points (12). The top-line centerman has won 52% of his faceoffs (184-170).

• Nodler has established new career bests with five goals and surpassed his career-best output with 12 points. He also has earned career bests in power play goals (3), and doubled his penalty minutes (2-for-4).

• Erik Middendorf is tied for third among Spartans in goals (5) and has a 5-4--9 scoring line. He scored the game-winner in the first game against Wisconsin (Nov. 19) which was his first career two-goal effort. He ranks second nationally (first, B1G) in game-winning goals - four of his five scores on the year have sealed a Spartan victory.

• MSU's top line - the L-M-N line if you will - of Loughran and Middendorf centered by Nodler has skated together in all 20 games this season.

• Fifth-year senior and active career leading scorer Mitchell Lewandowski ranks fourth among active Division I players in career points (120), fifth in goals (56), third in game-winners (12), and sixth in power play goals (20).

• Lewandowski sits atop the Spartan leaderboard in points (18) and assists (11), and is a squad-best +11 in just 14 games. He is ninth in the Big Ten in points, eighth in assists, and 10th in goals. He has surpassed his 2020-21 totals of six goals and eight assists.

• Lewandowski has 11 points (4-7--11) in the 10 games since returning from an early-season injury hiatus, which includes the OT game-winner in the Saturday game at Notre Dame (12/11).

• Jeremy Davidson leads the Spartans in goals (8), which ranks in a tie for ninth in the Big Ten. His season scoring line of 8-5--13 is his career best all categories, and he also shares the team lead in power play goals with Nodler (3, fourth, B1G) and has a pair of game-winners to his credit (fifth, B1G).

• Freshman Jesse Tucker has centered the line with Lewandowski and Davidson over the last 10 games, and has a goal and eight assists in that stretch. Three of his assists came last weekend, including the primary on the OT winner vs. Michigan Tech.

• Tucker is the team's top-scoring freshman with a goal and 10 assists. He ranks second on the team in helpers and fifth in points, and ranks second with a +4.

• Tanner Kelly scored his first collegiate goal at Notre Dame (12/10). The freshman has played in 18 of MSU's 20 games this season, earning good minutes on MSU's defensive-minded line with Jagger Joshua and centerman Nico Muller.

• Nicolas Muller has centered the line with Jagger Joshua on the left wing all season. He has a 1-4--5 scoring line in 2021-22, and leads all MSU forwards with 19 blocked shots. He ranks 14th nationally and second among B1G among forwards in that category.

• Joshua ranks second on the team in both penlties (11) and penalty minutes (30). He owns a 1-2--3 scoring line with 10 blocked shots this season.

• Kristof Papp has already doubled his freshman season offensive output (0-4--4) with a 1-8--9 scoring line. He scored his first collegiate goal at Penn State (12/4) and also had an assist on a Dennis Cesana tally at Notre Dame before being held off the scoresheet in the GLI.

• Papp has won better than 60% of his faceoffs (61.2%) 131-93 in the faceoff circle and owns a team-best .585 success rate. He ranks eighth among Division I centermen in faceoff winning percentage, (minimum of nine faceoffs taken per game).

• Adam Goodsir has played in all 20 games this season. He has blocked 13 shots, a total which ranks second among forwards, and he has an 0-2-2 scoring line.

• AJ Hodges has skated in 18 of 20 games this season, and has earned three assists in those games.

PLAYER NOTES - DEFENSEMEN
• David Gucciardi was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week on Tuesday after scoring three times in the GLI. He scored MSU's lone goal in a 3-1 loss (ENG) to No. 4 Western Michigan, and then scored twice – including the overtime game-winner – in a 3-2 victory over No. 18 Michigan Tech.

• Gucciardi's highlight-reel OT game winner - where he shot the puck between his legs and beat Blake Pietela glove-side - was the No. 10 highlight on ESPN's Top 10 on Dec. 30.

• Gucciardi has four goals and four assists for eight points on the season, with 26 blocked shots. He ranks second among defensemen on the team in points and goals.

• Dennis Cesana ranks second overall in the Big Ten (14th nationally) in blocked shots (37), one better than the standard of 36 he had as a sophomore. He will skate in his 120th career game on Friday against the Gophers, and has compiled a 17-5--67 scoring line in his career.

• Cesana is the top-scoring defenseman and ranks sixth overall for Michigan State with 10 points (5g, 5a). He has been one of the Big Ten's top-producing defensemen over the last three seasons. He earned Preseason Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors this fall.

• Cole Krygier has surpassed his career-best point total (7), posting three goals and four assists. He has surpassed his scoring line he posted in all of 2019-20 (3-3--6). He is a +4 (good for tied for second on the team, and tops among defensemen) and also has, with 29 penalty minutes and 28 blocks.

• Christian Krygier has doubled his single-season career best points total with a 1-5--6 scoring line. He has 28 blocked shots, seven of which came in the last two games vs. Western Michigan (4) and MIchigan Tech (3). He and his brother are tied for second on the team behind Cesana with 28.

• Both Krygier twins scored in the first game at Penn State (12/3), marking the first time in their Spartan careers that they lit the lamp in the same game.

• Nash Nienhuis has surpassed his freshman year point total (0-6--6). He has a pair of two-assist games this season to tie his career best, and has skated in all 20 games.

• Sophomore Aiden Gallacher has appeared in 16 games for MSU this season after skating in 25 as a freshman. He has scored once this season, his first collegiate goal at home against Ferris State (11/11)

• Powell Connor has earned significant time as Michigan State's games. He has played in 13 games for MSU and has 23 blocked shots.

• Five of MSU's seven regular defensemen average at least one blocked shot per game, compiling between 23-37 blocks on the year.

PLAYER NOTES - GOALTENDERS
• MSU has split its goaltending duties in six of 10 weekends this season, including the two December series at Penn State and Notre Dame. Drew DeRidder has played both ends of the series four times, including the GLI Showcase games last week at Munn Ice Arena.

• DeRidder made 35 saves in the tough 3-1 loss to No. 4 Western Michigan where he surrendered two goals. He made 43 stops in the 3-2 OT win over No. 18 Michigan Tech.

• DeRidder's GAA (1.99) is third in the B1G and 11th nationally, while his .946 save percentage tops the Big Ten and is is third among Division I goaltenders. He leads the B1G with 34.86 saves per game, and has surpassed his career best with eight victories.

• DeRidder not only earned OT wins in two of his last three games, but picked up assists on the game-winning goals in each contest.

• Sophomore Pierce Charleson made 25 saves in a tough 3-2 loss at Notre Dame one week after he stopped a career-best 50 pucks and earned the 4-3 victory at Penn State (Dec. 3). His 50-save effort is the second- most by a netminder in a Division I game this season, and he earned Big Ten Third Star of the Week honors.

• In six starts this season, Charleson owns a 3.18 GAA, .907 save percentage, and 3-3 record. He made three starts and appeared in seven games for Michigan State in the crease last season, and compiled a 2.57 GAA and .938 save percentage in those contests, making 210 saves in 326:49.

• Charleson's 50-save effort at Penn State ranks in a tie for second by a goaltender in Division I hockey this season, while DeRidder's 48-save effort vs. Wisconsin ranks fourth.

• DeRidder owns four of the eight 40+-save performances in the Big Ten this season (and Charleson owns a fifth). In addition to Charleson's 50 at Penn State, DeRidder had 48 and 40 in games vs. Wisconsin (Nov. 19-20), the 43 vs. Michigan Tech, as well as 41 vs. Ohio State (Oct. 29). No other Big Ten netminder has more than one game with 40 saves or more this season.

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Players Mentioned

Dennis Cesana

Pierce Charleson

Powell Connor

Jeremy Davidson

Drew DeRidder

Aiden Gallacher

Adam Goodsir

David Gucciardi

Kyle Haskins

Jagger Joshua

Tanner Kelly

Christian Krygier

Cole Krygier

Mitchell Lewandowski

Griffin Loughran

Erik Middendorf

Nash Nienhuis

Josh Nodler

Jesse Tucker