Michigan State (4-2-0 overall, 0-0-0 B1G) vs. No. 5 Minnesota (5-3-0 overall, 1-1-0 B1G)
Date: Friday, Nov. 3, 2017
Location: 3M Arena at Mariucci | Minneapolis, Minn.
Puck Drop: 7:05 p.m. CT
TV: FOX Sports North
Stream: BTN2Go | FOX Sports GO
Radio: 1130 KTLK AM | 103.5 FM
Date: Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017
Location: 3M Arena at Mariucci | Minneapolis, Minn.
Puck Drop: 4:05 p.m. CT
TV: FOX Sports North
Stream: BTN2Go | FOX Sports GO
Radio: 1130 KTLK AM | 103.5 FM
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Well, this all-time series is nowhere close. The Gophers hold an incredible 113-45-16 advantage with a 59-16-8 mark when playing in Minnesota.
Last season, the Gophers won three of the four matchup, but lost in a shootout in the final regular season game of the year.
The Spartans bring a strong offense to Minneapolis. MSU ranks 12th in the country potting 3.5 goals per game.
A big reason for the offensive success has been the play of sophomore Patrick Khodorenko. The USNTDP U-18 alum has produced an impressive 26 shots on net this season. This has translated into a team-high four goals.
It rarely happens, but the Gophers have more players from the opponent’s’ home state than the other way around. Minnesota has two Michigan natives will MSU doesn’t even have one player from the State of Hockey.
STORYLINE CENTRAL
Coming into the season, a big story was incoming freshman Casey Mittlelstadt. The 8th overall pick in last year’s draft hasn’t disappointed with seven points on the year. Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune has the latest on Minnesota’s star frosh.
Michigan State is coming off an impressive sweep of Lake Superior State last weekend. The Lansing State Journal has a short recap of Friday’s game.
And here’s some fun highlights of the Gophers sweep over Michigan State from two seasons ago.
QUOTES
Don Lucia
On Michigan State:
“They’re 4-2 on the season, right now. You could see some of that coming at the end of last year with those young guys playing. Michigan State was always good defensively, they always had good goalies, but they just didn’t have that offensive fire power and I think that’s the biggest change now. You see a number of guys of their team that can put the puck in the net.”
Casey Mittelstadt
On the progress of the team:
“We’re learning quite a bit. Obviously, there’s going to be a lot of hiccups in the first few games; everyone is kind of figuring out their role and their spots so there’s a lot to learn. We’re doing it every day so we’re definitely making progress. There’s things you can see we’re doing a lot better than in week one or before the season so it’s been really good.”
Scott Reedy
“I think we’re still a work in progress. We have some natural chemistry. I think we all think the game pretty similarly and complement each other’s game pretty well so continuing to practice, I think we can get even better.”