Junior forwards Isaac Howard and Daniel Russell scored in the shootout to give MSU the extra point in the Big Ten standings after tying in regulation.

It was a much better effort from the fourth-ranked Gophers men's hockey team and it'll officially go down as a 3-3 tie with No. 2 Michigan State. But it was the Spartans who picked up the extra point in a shootout Saturday in East Lansing,

What a statement win by No. 2 Michigan State hockey on Friday against against No. 4 Minnesota. The Spartans took down the Golden Gophers 9 to 3 in an absolute blowout in Munn Arena. This was a massive win by the Spartans who were just one point ahead of Minnesota in the conference standings heading into this game.

Isaac Howard and David Gucciardi scored two goals apiece as MSU scored four goals in both the second and third periods to roll past Minnesota.

Michigan State? The crisp 2024 banners hanging at Munn Ice Arena are the only two titles won since joining the Big Ten. It has earned more accolades as a program — in total, eight regular-season titles and 14 conference tournament titles, and national championships in 1966, 1986 and 2007.

Jimmy Snuggerud's goal made it a 5-3 game headed into the third period, but the Spartans lit the lamp four more times for the 9-3 final score. It is the most goals scored by an MSU team against Minnesota since Feb. 1, 1980.