The Golden Gophers’ final series before a long holiday break didn’t get off to a good start, but they were fortunate enough to escape with a 2-2 tie at Michigan State Friday night in East Lansing, Michigan.
Minnesota led 1-0 after the first period thanks to a goal by Taylor Cammarata.
Despite dominating in shots, 15 to 4, in the second period, the Spartans found a way to put a puck past Gophers goalie Adam Wilcox to tie the game at one.
A goal by Justin Kloos gave the Gophers a 2-1 lead just 51 seconds into the third period, but Michigan State fought back to tie the game on a goal by Villiam Haag.
Minnesota nearly won the game just before the final horn sounded in overtime, but the puck was chipped away from the goal just before it crossed the stripe.
The Spartans won the shootout 1-nothing to win its first ever Big Ten game.
Shootout Summary:
- Spartans: Michael Ferrintino scored
- Gophers: Kyle Rau missed
- Spartans: Wolffe missed
- Gophers: Sam Warning missed
- Spartans: Villiam Haag missed
- Gophers: Taylor Cammarat missed
It was the first overtime game in Big Ten hockey history. It was also Michigan State’s debut against a Big Ten opponent. Minnesota cracked open its Big Ten schedule by sweeping Wisconsin last weekend.
The two will play again at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, then the Gophers are on holiday break until Jan. 3 when they begin the Mariucci Classic.
Note: Minnesota’s Jake Parenteau left the game with an injury. FOX Sports North analyst Tom Chorske says in this video that he could hear Parenteau screaming on the ice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KqgbinKPl8
