No. 2/2 Hockey Tops Minnesota in Return to Munn

Friday, January 23

East Lansing, Mich.

7 PM

Michigan State University

18-5-0, 9-4-0

Minnesota

8-15-1, 4-9-0

Minnesota

Michigan St.

Photo by: Michael Caples

1/24/2026 12:10:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey

Box Score

EAST LANSING, Mich. – No. 2/2-ranked Michigan State hockey made its return to Ron Mason Rink at Munn Ice Arena on Friday night, defeating Minnesota, 3-1, it's first game since the unexpected passing of the program's Director of Operations, Dan Sturges, on January 19.

"I'm super proud of the guys," said Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale. "I think you look at the week, obviously emotional. This is about honoring Dan (Sturges), it's not about the scoreboard, and we made a commitment to our guys when they came (here to MSU). We're going to coach them unconditionally. I get it, we're judged on the scoreboard, but I would have been just as proud had the scoreboard said we lost. I thought to get back on the horse, I thought our guys played extremely hard. There are obviously always areas to clean up, but to get that type of effort? I think it speaks volumes to the leadership in the room. We've got a great group of guys and Dan would be super proud."

Both teams commemorated the lift and legacy of Sturges, donning "DS" jersey patches and helmet stickers during the contest.

Tonight, and for the remainder of the season we'll honor the life and legacy of Dan Sturges.

Thank you to @GopherHockey for joining us tonight in honoring his memory. pic.twitter.com/ODcei62UEn
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) January 23, 2026

MSU improves to 18-5-0 overall and 9-4 in Big Ten action this season while Minnesota falls to 8-15-1 (4-9 B1G). The Spartans will close out the weekend with game two of the series at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24.

Michigan State out-shot the Gophers 43-26 overall and really turned it on late with a 19-7 shot advantage in the third period. The Spartans were strong on the draw with a 33-23 advantage at the faceoff dot led by senior forward Charlie Stramel's 16-11 performance. Junior goaltender Trey Augustine made 25 saves for a .962 save percentage in game one.

Junior defenseman Maxim Strbak led the Spartans in scoring on Friday with a goal and an assist. He was joined in scoring by freshman forward Ryker Lee and junior forward Gavin O'Connell. Senior forward Tiernan Shoudy, junior forward Tommi Mannisto, sophomore defenseman Owen West, freshman forward Anthony Romani and freshman forward Eric Nilson added assists. Sophomore forward Shane Vansaghi blocked a career-high four shots.

How It Happened
Lee opened the scoring for Michigan State just five minutes into the first period with skillful spinning back-handed goal. Minnesota goaltender Luca Di Pasquo was screened by his own defenseman, losing track of Lee mid-spin which left the goal wide open.

Ryker Lee just doing Ryker Lee things out there to put us up 1-0! pic.twitter.com/rTO5NWTU2a
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) January 24, 2026

Both teams had their first try on the power play in the second period with each side killing their respective penalties. O'Connell extended the lead for MSU at the 11:17 mark of the period, sending a pass forward to Romani who found O'Connell trailing in the slot for his third goal of the season.

Gavin O'Connell's third of the season makes it 2-0! pic.twitter.com/oIFj3rVfC3
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) January 24, 2026

Michigan State got an insurance goal from Strbak just under three minutes into the third period. Shoudy collected the puck behind the net and found Strbak waiting in the slot for the defenseman's second goal of the season. Minnesota broke up a shutout bid late with LJ Mooney adding a power play goal for the Golden Gophers at 13:50.