First Place On the Line in MSU-Minnesota Series

Michigan State (11-5-1, 5-2-1 B1G) vs. Minnesota (11-6-0, 6-2-0 B1G)
Dates/Times	Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, 6:30 pm \| Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, 6 pm
Location	Munn Ice Arena, East Lansing, Mich.
Tickets	Spartan Ticket Office Ph: 517-355-1610 \| Gameday Answers
Promotions	Ugly Christmas Sweater Night (Friday) Family Four Pack - (Friday - Advance Purchase Required) Teddy Bear Toss (Saturday) Four Seats Four Treats - (Saturday- Advance Purchase Required)
Radio	WJIM 1240 AM Scott Moore (pxp) and Rob Woodward (analysis) Listen Online: Click "Spartan Media Network"
Television	Big Ten Network Ben Holden (pxp) and Fred Pletsch (analysis)
Webstreams	Download the Fox Sports App
Live Statistics	Click Here
Game Notes	Michigan State \| Minnesota
Game Program	Download Here
Social Media	Facebook Twitter Instagram
Press Conference	Watch Adam Nightingale's Weekly Press Conference

Clear Bag Policy
Clear bags will now be allowed for athletic events at Munn Ice Arena. In accordance with Michigan State Athletics security guidelines, the only bags, packages or containers permitted to be carried by fans as they enter the venue are the following:
·  Bag that is clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and does not exceed 12" x 6" x 12"
·  One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
·  Small clutch bag, camera and binocular cases, not exceeding 4.5" x 6.5"
· Exceptions can be made for medically necessary, childcare or dietary items after proper inspection - please utilize the medical needs door at the south entrance if you have these items.

THE ORIGINAL SIX
What you need to know about Spartan Hockey

• No. 13/11 Michigan State returns to conference play with a series against No. 4/1 Minnesota. It's a battle for an early lead in the Big Ten race, as MSU sits one point behind the first-place Gophers in the Big Ten standings entering the weekend. The Golden Gophers hold a commanding lead in the all-time series between the teams, (129-50-16), and the Spartans are 30-51-8 in games between the two Big Ten rivals in East Lansing. Bob Motzko is in his fourth season as the head coach in the twin cities, and has guided his charges to a 11-5-0 record this season.

• MSU's offense is the pleasant surprise of the season. MSU's 3.63 goals per game is fourth in the Big Ten and eighth nationally. Averaging 3.63 goals per game, the Spartans are on pace to score 130 goals. Since 2009, MSU has scored 100 goals in a season just twice (2011-12, 111 and 2009-10, 115) and had scored 100+ in each year from 1960-61 to 2007-08. Sixteen different players have scored MSU's 58 goals, with 14 having at least two scores. A total of 20 skaters have at least one point on the year.

• MSU claimed two of the Big Ten's Three Stars of the Week, with Karsen Dorwart (Third Star) earning kudos for the second straight week and Dylan St. Cyr claiming his second First Star honor of the season. Three others have also earned Big Ten star honors so far this year: Jagger Joshua, Erik Middendorf, and Nicolas Müller

• Dorwart recorded his first career hat trick in the Saturday shutout at Miami, and is now the team's goal scoring leader (7). He centers MSU's top line and is the team's second-leading point scorer (7-10-17 ). He is tied for fifth in the Big Ten in points, 10th in assists, and ranks third with a +13 rating.

• Freshman Daniel Russell remains Michigan State's leading scorer with 18 points (6-12-18) after scoring a goal and an assist last weekend. He ranks third in the Big Ten in assists, ninth in goals, and is fourth in the Big Ten in points. Russell is 20th nationally in assists per game (0.75) and 32nd (fourth B1G) with 1.12 points per game.

• Dylan St. Cyr posted his his second shutout of the season and allowed three goals in the two-game set at Miami. He made 69 saves on 72 shots, including 39 saves in the Saturday shutout. St. Cyr leads the Big Ten with a .934 save percentage overall (fifth nationally), and is second in the Conference with a 2.13 GAA, which ranks 18th. He owns the second-most victories of any B1G netminder (10). He has had 30 or more saves over the last nine games, seven of which were Big Ten contests. St. Cyr has turned away 453 shots this season, the second highest total in the Big Ten. His 30.20 saves per game ranks second in the Conference.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Karsen Dorwart

Jagger Joshua

Erik Middendorf

Daniel Russell

Dylan St. Cyr