EAST LANSING – Lansing State Journal sports reporter Nathaniel Bott breaks down No. 1 Michigan State hockey’s 4-1 win against No. 10 Michigan on Saturday night at Munn Ice Arena.

What happened

MSU came into Saturday night looking for revenge after dropping Friday’s game to the Wolverines in overtime. And with the help from the home crowd, the Spartans jumped out to an early lead and didn’t look back.

Junior forward Charlie Stramel had two goals and an assist, while junior forward Isaac Howard improved his NCAA-leading point total with three helpers as the Spartans skated away with a 4-1 rivalry win on Saturday. MSU earned four points on the weekend to jump back into first place in the Big Ten standings.

After killing an early penalty, the Spartans got a chance on the man advantage and found the back of the net quickly, with junior defenseman Matt Basgall blasting a shot from the point that got through U-M goaltender Logan Stein.

Another shot from the point later in the period was saved initially, but Stramel battled in front of the net before eventually batting in the loose puck just over the goal line to extend MSU’s lead.

The Spartans earned another chance on the man advantage in the second period, and junior forward Joey Larson ripped a one-timer that freshman forward Shane Vansaghi tipped in front of the Wolverine net for MSU’s third goal of the game.

Special teams continued to play a big role for MSU, who, after two power-play goals, converted on a shorthanded opportunity. Sophomore defenseman Austin Oravetz delivered a stretch pass to Howard, who slid the puck over to Stramel for a one-time shot that beat Stein and put MSU up 4-0.

UM got on the board during a late power play with T.J. Hughes beating MSU goaltender Trey Augustine, who nearly had a shutout. Augustine made 34 saves on the night, while Stein had 28 stops for the Wolverines.

Some theatrics ensued late in the game, with Michigan’s Jacob Truscott receiving a five-minute major and game misconduct for direct contact to the head on a hit to Stramel. MSU defensemen Patrick Geary and Maxim Strbak took exception, with Strbak ultimately receiving a 10-minute misconduct.

After the final horn, Michigan defenseman Hunter Hady received a game misconduct and disqualification for face-masking Vansaghi. Hady will have to miss the next game for the Wolverines.

What it means

MSU missed a big opportunity on the road on Friday night, leading and controlling most of the game before the Wolverines found a late equalizer and eventual overtime winner.

Despite an early penalty, MSU was again the aggressor, this time scoring twice in the opening frame to establish itself. MSU’s special teams were the key, scoring twice on the power play and once shorthanded to balloon its lead to four goals in the second period.

Wolverines had seven of the first eight shots in the second period with several grade-A chances, but Augustine stood tall on each one. Augustine can get locked in during a game to the point where it seems impossible to beat him – at least on a shot that he can see. Augustine had that feeling on Saturday night.

Howard and Stramel continue to drive MSU’s offense, with Howard equaling his total points from last season after recording three assists tonight. With two goals and an assist, Stramel now has eight goals and 13 assists — more points in total than his two seasons at Wisconsin combined.

What they said

MSU coach Adam Nightingale, on the game overall: “It was a good response for our group, and we were a lot more determined offensively and played more on the inside tonight. I thought the crowd was awesome and they were really into it. It was a good win for our program and thankful to be a part of this rivalry. It’s a blessing that forces you to be better and it forces you and pushes you to improve and we did that.”

Nightingale, on Howard and Stramel performing well: “I thought they were a little quiet the night before, and when we sat down with them, we wanted them to play more direct, and they did tonight. Howard is having a great year for us, and he’s really improved. It’s been cool for me to have known him since he was 16 years old and watching his game grow, and he still has room to grow. We trust him, and he’s made big-time plays. And then (Stramel) is a young hockey player who continues to get better and got in better shape so he can play the way we want him to and he wants to. That line needs to continue to be consistent for us.”

Howard, on special teams coming up big: “Our special teams played really well tonight, with power-play goals and shorthanded goals. It’s crucial for success in a game or series, and it’s good we are clicking at a good pace in both of those areas.”

Stramel, on playing in the rivalry: “It’s an emotional game playing these guys, especially losing a tough one last night, but it was big to be able to bounce back and play a full 60 minutes tonight. You go into it like any other game, maybe get up for it a little more subconsciously, but it’s a fun weekend to play in, lots of emotions flying around and guys who don’t like each other, but that makes the game fun.”

What’s next

MSU will stay home next Friday and Saturday, hosting No. 3 Minnesota for a two-game series.

Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on X @Nathaniel_Bott and Bluesky @nathanielbott.bsky.social