Daniel Russell plays hero as MSU hockey stuns Minnesota late: Analysis and reaction

Lansing State Journal sports reporter Nathaniel Bott breaks down No. 8 Michigan State's dramatic 3-2 win in Friday's series opener against No. 9 Minnesota at Munn Arena.

What happened

Daniel Russell had been in a scoring slump. The sophomore had just one goal in the past 13 games.

And Friday night looked like it might end badly for Russell and the Spartans when, with Michigan State trailing 2-1, Russell committed a hooking penalty with just under seven minutes to play. The penalty killed MSU's momentum after freshman forward Griffin Jurecki had scored his first collegiate goal early in the third period to bring the Spartans within a goal.

Luckily for Russell, his teammates came to the rescue. And gave him a chance to be the hero.

First, sophomore forward Karsen Dorwart banged home a loose puck after a great individual effort from freshman Tommi Mannisto while shorthanded with 4:58 to play, tying the game and sending the Munn crowd into a frenzy.

Then in the game's closing seconds, with overtime looming, MSU coach Adam Nightingale went to his first line to try and find a game-winner. Sophomore forward Isaac Howard entered the offensive zone and found Russell streaking on the backside all alone with 14 seconds remaining.

Russell put his shot on net, but Minnesota goaltender Justen Close robbed him with an outstanding blocker save. The Gophers cleared, but MSU quickly regained possession and re-entered, with Howard again putting a puck on net.

Russell was there again, and this time, delivered, tipping Howard's shot before jamming a rebound in front past Close with just four seconds left, capping a third-period rally and setting off a Munn celebration with a 3-2 win.

Friday's win marks the first time MSU has beaten Minnesota in regulation since Feb. 28, 2020. The Spartans, who remain alone in first place in the Big Ten with 37 points, were 0-15-1 since that game against the Gophers.

Freshman goaltender Trey Augustine made 28 saves, while Close made 27.

Minnesota opened the scoring with a goal from defenseman Mike Koster in the game's first two minutes, then took a 2-0 lead late in the second period after a turnover led to Minnesota star forward Jimmy Snuggerud finding Oliver Moore, who beat Augustine.

What it means

MSU was having some real issues getting to the inside against a young but much improved Minnesota defense through two periods. But after Jurecki's goal 2:36 into the third, the building was revitalized and MSU started to show off its conditioning, dominating most of the play from that point on.

It's been a while, even with this season, that Munn has had the type of roof-shaking eruption it did after Mannisto's effort and Dorwart's rebound goal that tied things up with just under five minutes to go. At that moment, MSU pushed for a regulation winner, and eventually got it, leading to another explosion from the Spartan crowd.

MSU was still forced to kill three penalties in the third period, as well as an additional 49 seconds to start the period from a late second-period infraction. In that 6:49 stretch of penalty-killing, MSU limited Minnesota to just three total shots on goal, had three shots of its own, and a shorthanded goal.

This contest, paired with last Saturday's come-from-behind win at Yost, proved that this MSU team can't be counted out of games.

What they said

Nightingale, on the game overall: "What a finish to the game. The first two periods, playing a really good hockey team it felt like it had a playoff feel with not a whole lot going on either side. There wasn't a ton of easy ice out there, but we needed to play with a little more heart and skill. There was no panic, even having to kill a couple of penalties and to get rewarded at the end was big time. But now it's about moving on to tomorrow."

Nightingale, on the penalty kill: "Your best penalty killer is your goalie, and I think Trey did a good job. (Basgall) had a big block on one, you know, sacrificing to make a play. I thought we won draws and cleared pucks well. It was a combination of all those things, but we did it all pretty well."

Russell, on his game-winner and the Munn crowd: "Ike made a great play on both of them. He found me on the back door and I got it on the net and their goalie made a great save. I was a little rattled in my head, but then the chance came again and I tipped it first then banged home the rebound. It was an awesome moment. Getting this one in regulation was huge, and after (Dorwart) scored the whole place was buzzing and it really helped us make that push."

Russell, on getting back on the score sheet: "The team's doing well and it's not all about the individual, but when pucks aren't going in, you're kind of gripping your stick more. Seeing one go in the back of the net for me is really big for my confidence going the rest of the year."

Mannisto, on the game-tying goal: "I was in the middle and the Minnesota guy was back and I looked up and saw the space. I don't even know what I did, but it was so nice to hear the fans like that and celebrate with Karsen."

What's next

MSU and Minnesota will face off again Saturday, with puck drop scheduled for 4 p.m. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.

Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @Nathaniel_Bott

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU hockey: Daniel Russell, Spartans stun Minnesota late, 3-2