Junior forward Isaac Howard and senior defenseman David Gucciardi each recorded two goals, with Gucciardi’s being his first two-goal performance since December 2021. The Spartans also dominated in faceoffs.

Four of MSU’s nine goals stemmed from faceoff wins, as the Spartans outpaced Minnesota 44-20 in the circle. The Spartan who was most commanding in the circle today was junior forward Charlie Stramel, who went 21-4 from the dot.

"He is a big strong guy, I think he’s evolved this year and has gotten better at it," head coach Adam Nightingale said post game. "I think earlier in the year he was pretty cutesy at the dot and he’s been blessed with some power and strength and quickness and makes sure he uses that every draw." 

Though nine goals were put up for MSU, goal number four would end up being the game winner. On what Gucciardi said was "one of the cleanest faceoff wins" he’d ever seen, junior forward Charlie Stramel was able to knock the puck behind him off the draw onto the stick of Gucciardi who was able to rocket the puck from the blue line into the back of the net.

"It was one of the cleanest faceoff wins I’ve ever seen in my life, the most perfect faceoff win right to me. Stramel did a great job there and helped me out quite a bit," Gucciardi said.

A fourth-year player, Gucciardi has been with the Spartans since the program’s rebuild began under head coach Adam Nightingale. Playing with graduate student Nicklas Andrews along the blue line has allowed the team to add depth to the backend and veteran leadership to the young squad.

Nightingale said Gucciardi is about as good as a real defenseman in the Big Ten and under the helm of Nightingale, the blue liner has learned what it means to be a real defenseman.

"He’s got a rocket for a shot, he definitely could play on the power play. What he has done for us is use his skating to defend, move the puck to our forwards," Nightingale said. "...Just ending plays and getting our team moving and doing a really good job in tight gaps."

For Howard, a two goal night is just like any other night. With his three point performance, Howard continues to chug along with his national lead in points, reaching the 20 goal mark and 39 points. With his name in the Hobey Baker award discussion, which is the national award for the top player in collegiate hockey, Howard still has nine games to go to continue his dominating run. 

"Just another good game, chipping away," Howard said. "We’re just keeping it simple, using our speed, I think we’ve got a lot of great play making skills on our line and great finishing as well. We’re able to make some plays and finish and it’s great." 

Winning draws and scoring first have been critical themes for MSU this season, and their emphasis on early leads continues to pay off. The Spartans are now 15-1 when they land the first goal of the game. 

"Any league in hockey it’s important to get that first goal," Howard said. "I think your win percentage will go up a ton when you get that first goal. It’s just coming out on time, being ready for the puck drop. It’s not something you can control every game but when you go in early it’s kind of nice.”

Michigan State and Minnesota play again on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m.