Spartans Snap Gophers Winning Streak

Spartans Snap Gophers Winning Streak

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Gopher Hockey’s three-game winning streak came to an end on Saturday night as the Maroon & Gold opened this weekend’s Big Ten series with a 5-3 loss to Michigan State at Munn Ice Arena.

The Gophers (9-9-4 overall, 6-4-3-0 Big Ten) picked up goals from Sammy Walker, Brannon McManus and Rem Pitlick while Mat Robson made 37 saves in net for Minnesota.

Walker opened the night’s scoring with his fifth of the year at 4:52 of the opening period when fellow freshmen Blake McLaughlin and Nathan Burke set up the center in front of the net. But Michigan State (8-12-3, 4-7-2-2) responded with four-straight goals including three power-play tallies to claim a lead the Spartans never relinquished. Mitchell Lewandowski found the net twice – once on the power play and once at even strength – while Patrick Khodorenko and Cody Milan each added a goal during a Michigan State advantage. The Spartans ended the night 3-for-4 on the power play.

The Maroon & Gold attempted a late rally midway through the third period with two goals. McManus scored for the third-straight game during a Minnesota power play at 12:45 that was set up by Brent Gates Jr. and Tyler Sheehy, and Pitlick scored on an unassisted breakaway at 15:37 after forcing a turnover. But Jerad Rosburg’s long-range, empty net goal in the final minute killed any chance of an overtime session. McManus’ power-play tally stood as Minnesota’s lone strike on the advantage despite six power plays.

The Gophers outshot Michigan State 42-38 with Robson making 37 saves on 41 shots to fall to 7-5-4 on the year. John Lethemon made 35 saves on 38 shots to pick up the win, moving to 6-7-0 on the season.

Minnesota closes out a four-game road trip on Sunday at Michigan State (4 p.m. CT, Big Ten Network) before starting a four-game home stand with a Border Battle series at 3M Arena at Mariucci. Tickets are available at GopherSports.com. 

Notes: Tonight’s loss marked the first time this season that the Gophers lost when Walker found the net (4-1-1)…freshman defenseman Matt Denman scored what would have been his first career goal midway through the first period before officials declared a crease violation on the Gophers (the goal would have evened the game at 2-2)…tonight’s game also snapped Minnesota’s three-game streak of allowing just one goal against…Minnesota moved to 3-7-0 when outshooting its opponent as opposed to 6-2-4 when being outshot…the GPS line has now recorded points in all 13 games since forming on Nov. 23 with 43 points (17 goals, 26 assists)…Pitlick leads Minnesota with 11 goals and 23 points this season…the Gophers had gone four games without allowing a power-play goal before giving up three tonight on four chances.