The series is set for Friday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. EST and Saturday, Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. EST. Friday’s game will be streamed on Big Ten Plus, Saturday’s on Big Ten Network. 

The Spartans enter the series 17-5-0 overall, third in the Big Ten with a record of 8-4-0 and 24 points. In contrast, the Gophers are 8-14-1 overall, fifth in the conference with a record of 4-8-0 and 14 points. 

MSU is coming off a sweep of Wisconsin, turning in one of its stronger defensive performances and most efficient offensive showings. Minnesota last played No. 1 Michigan, losing 5-1 in the opener before falling 3-2 in overtime the following night.

It has been nearly a year since the teams last met. They faced off Jan. 24-25, 2025, with MSU taking the opener in dominant fashion, 9-3. The teams then tied 3-3 in the second game, with the Spartans earning the shootout win. However, neither side is the same as last season, as MSU features several new faces and Minnesota enters the series with a record below its usual standard.

Minnesota has reached the NCAA tournament for the past five consecutive seasons, advancing to the Frozen Four in 2022 and 2023. However, the Gophers are currently at a .370 win percentage. The last time they finished with a record below .500 was in 2010. 

While the record reflects poorly on the Gophers, that doesn't mean they’re lacking talent. 

Minnesota wingers Brodie Ziemer and L.J. Mooney are at the forefront of the team’s offense. Ziemer leads the Gophers with 14 goals and 22 points, Mooney leading the assist category with 13. The two have been linemates all throughout the season but played on separate lines in Minnesota’s most recent game against Michigan. 

Minnesota’s power play ranks seventh nationally. Ziemer is second in the country with eight power-play goals and has scored 10 times in his last 11 games.

Both Ziemer and Mooney competed in the IIHF World Juniors Championships for Team USA, alongside MSU freshman forward Ryker Lee and sophomore forward Shane Vansaghi. Ziemer and Lee have a deeper history, having attended high school at Shattuck St. Mary’s together, with sophomore forward Colin Ralph as well. 

For one of Minnesota’s netminders, this game is a return to an old home. 

Goaltender Luca Di Pasquo spent two years at MSU before transferring to Minnesota this season. Last season Di Pasquo posted a 7-0 record between the pipes, playing mostly when junior netminder Trey Augustine was out for the World Juniors Championship. 

Di Pasquo has a .914 save percentage and a 3.08 goals-against average this season, splitting time with goaltender Nathan Airey (3.28 GAA, .890 save percentage). Di Pasquo played both of Minnesota’s recent games against Michigan, matching his career high of 47 saves Friday night and following with 45 saves Saturday.

MSU’s offensive production continues to be led by its first line of forwards, seniors Charlie Stramel and Daniel Russell and freshman Porter Martone. Stramel has posted 29 points this season (13 goals, 16 assists) and ranks second in the country in game-winning goals (five). Russell has also dished out 16 assists and is coming off a three-goal weekend. Martone has tallied 26 points and leads the team with 14 goals.

Augustine is expected between the pipes for the Spartans, coming off a strong performance against Wisconsin. The netminder ranks third in goals-against average (1.75) and save percentage (.937). Augustine was less than a minute away from recording a shoutout last Saturday in the Spartans 4-1 win over Wisconsin. He also ranks seventh in winning percentage, with a 15-5-0 record. 

This series provides another test for the Spartans, and another opportunity to rise in the Big Ten standings. MSU, Wisconsin and Penn State all share the same conference record, 8-4-0. Wisconsin and Penn State will face off this weekend. 

MSU will take the ice with heavy hearts, as this series marks the first since the unexpected death of Dan Sturges, the program’s director of hockey operations, Monday morning.