Coming off of a tough series against the Wisconsin Badgers at Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing, the Michigan State Spartans headed to Notre Dame for the Big Ten Tournament, starting with their faceoff against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Sunday afternoon. The Golden Gophers took the game, 2-1 in overtime, sending them to the semifinals on Monday.

There were no lineup changes from the Spartans’ loss against Wisconsin last Saturday. That includes the starting goaltender, as freshman Pierce Charleson was given the nod for Michigan State. Jack LaFontaine was tagged as the starting goaltender for the Golden Gophers in Sunday’s matchup.

Always good to get the first one! pic.twitter.com/Vl4BENfunU

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) March 14, 2021

Two minutes into the game, Brody Stevens was called for a tripping penalty, sending Minnesota to the power-play early, but Michigan State was able to kill it off. Just under halfway through the period, Ryan Johnson was whistled for a tripping minor, and the Spartans, who had scored four power-play goals the entire season, headed to the man advantage. Unlike the Golden Gophers’ first power-play, the Spartans were able to convert as they were able to draw LaFontaine out of the goal, and Dennis Cesana was able to put the puck in the net, giving them a 1-0 lead. With 21.3 seconds remaining in the period, Brock Faber was called for holding to send the Spartans back to the power play. Josh Nodler had an open goal, but LaFontaine came across for the big stop. They were unable to convert in the section in the first period, but they will have just under 1:40 of it left. After one, Michigan State had a 1-0 lead, but Minnesota was out-shooting the Spartans 13-9.

WOW pic.twitter.com/Njtrxm3zTK

— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) March 14, 2021

The Spartans were unable to convert on the remaining time on the power-play to begin the middle frame. Kyle Haskins and Adam Goodsir were on a two-on-one, but after a Haskins shot, Goodsir was unable to whack the puck out of mid-air on the wide-open net. Just over halfway through the game, Pierce Charleson made a diving stick save on Blake McLaughlin, who had an open rebound. With under a minute left, Charlie Combs was sent on a short breakaway that LaFontaine stopped, but Brock Faber walked off with assistance after crashing into the boards. After two, the Spartans still lead, 1-0, but the Golden Gophers had the shot advantage still, 25-17.

*exhale* pic.twitter.com/sVG5mjf37F

— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) March 14, 2021

Just over a minute into the third, Christian Krygier was called for tripping, sending Minnesota to the power-play, but Michigan State was able to kill it off. 7:30 into the period, Krygier was sent back to the box for holding, spoiling a possible two-on-one for the Spartans. The Golden Gophers were unsuccessful on their third power-play of the game. With just over seven minutes left, Minnesota hit the post and the puck then sat behind Charleson in the crease for about three seconds, but Minnesota was not able to put it in. With 4:59 remaining in the third period, Bryce Brodzinski shot the puck far side and tied the game at one as the Golden Gophers were finally able to get past Charleson. Minnesota was pressuring at the end, but after 60 minutes, they headed to overtime with Michigan State as the game was tied at one, and they were outshooting the Spartans, 37-20.

In Sampo Ranta We Trust. pic.twitter.com/9nQ8ywjl4W

— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) March 14, 2021

Overtime was fast to begin, including a Charleson save near the post. Jagger Joshua gave away the puck, but Charleson made another big stop as Minnesota was threatening. Tommy Apap had a strong chance in near LaFontaine, but he made the save on the Spartans’ best chance at that point into overtime. Just under halfway into the period, Charleson made another big save near the post. Less than a minute later, Sampo Ranta scored in front to send the Golden Gophers to the semifinals. The final was 2-1, while Minnesota outshot Michigan State, 50-23.

Following the game, Head Coach Danton Cole and Pierce Charleson addressed the media.

Cole started with an opening statement. “It was a hell of an effort. We played two really good teams in our last two games, pushed them both pretty hard, did a lot of good things. I wanted them to think of things on the negative side, how disappointing that is to be that close in a playoff game and trying to get to the next night, but also positively carrying forward, the guys that are coming back, just how close you are and how hard you have to work to get it accomplished, keep it in the back of your minds when you work out this summer. For the guys leaving, we did play in the third-place game in the NCAAs when I was here and we won that one, lost in the semifinals. It was a battle and our guys played hard, it was a battle and our guys played hard and that’s what I remember. The guys that aren’t coming back, that’s the way they led, what they did, leaving it out there, it was a Spartan effort and there’s nothing to be ashamed about.”

Cole said that he decided to start Charleson because he has been consistent during his starts towards the end of the season. He had nothing but praise for Drew DeRidder, who was a “horse” for them all season.

The Spartans played a strong defensive game today against the Golden Gophers. “We knew it was going to take a great effort, their defensemen are really involved in the play. Our forwards and defensemen have to be involved, blocked shots have to be involved. I thought our guys did a great job with it. Towards the third period, they started getting a little run on shots, in the overtime, we had some troubles. Overall, we did a good job. While they had some possession and got through, we did a good job on the outside, blocking shots, and covering the backside.”

Charleson broke down the stick save that was made to keep it a 1-0 game halfway through the second period. “(The puck) just came off my pad weird and the I followed it out and saw where it was going to (McLaughlin’s) tape. I just tried to get my body over there and get in front of it.”

He also spoke about how this will motivate them ahead of next year. “I think the whole season honestly, the younger guys were learning from the other guys and just following their footsteps… We’ll go into the summer just remembering how close we were and how much we need to be ready for next season and keep building forward.”

SEF