The Spartans fell behind early in game one and struggled to sustain a full 60-minute effort, ultimately suffering their first regulation loss since a Dec. 6 shutout against Wisconsin, falling 4-2.

MSU responded quickly in game two, securing a 4-1 victory to split the series. A dominant second period saw the Spartans score three goals, with an empty-netter in the final minutes sealing the win.

With the Golden Gophers playing with home ice advantage, the maroon and gold pulled a sweep over the Badgers, inching themselves within two points of the Spartans and tightening the battle for the regular season title and the bye week in the Big Ten Tournament.

Though the Spartans split on the road over the No. 11 Buckeyes, the team remained at second in the country in the USCHO polls behind the Boston College Eagles. 

As the national tournament continues to creep closer, the Pairwise rankings, based off the point system, puts the Spartans at second in the country, which would earn them the No. 1 seed in their respective region and the No. 2 overall seed, but with three weekends to go for MSU in its season, the final rankings remain unknown.

MSU returns home for a pivotal rivalry weekend against Michigan, their second-to-last home series of the season. The teams will clash on at 7p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, at Munn Ice Arena before heading to Detroit for the Duel in the D at Little Caesars Arena at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8.