Isaac Howard lifts Michigan State hockey in overtime win at Wisconsin

Michigan State junior forward Isaac Howard scored three minutes into overtime to lift the No. 1-ranked Spartans to a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Wisconsin on Saturday night in Madison.

The Spartans earned a series split with the Badgers after their nine-game winning streak was snapped on Friday, losing 4-0.

Howard worked from behind the net to delivering a pass to junior forward Charlie Stramel before positioning himself in front of the Wisconsin net. Stramel gave a cross-ice pass to junior defenseman Matt Basgall, who fed Howard in front of a net vacated by Wisconsin goaltender Tommy Scarfone.

Wisconsin scored first in the opening frame and then took a 2-0 lead early in the second period.

Stramel put MSU on the board later in the second with a goal on the power play. It was a two-point night for Stramel, who transferred from Wisconsin after playing two seasons for the Badgers. Howard and junior forward Karsen Dorwart assisted on Stramel’s fourth goal of the season.

MSU tied it up in the third period after a good forecheck forced a turnover in the offensive zone. Defenseman Nicklas Andrews kept the puck and fed forward Joey Larson, who found himself all alone on net. The junior made a nifty move to his backhand and beat Scarfone for his fifth goal of the season.

Sophomore goaltender Trey Augustine made 30 saves, including a stop on a breakaway from Wisconsin’s Christian Fitzgerald in overtime.

MSU (12-2, 5-1 Big Ten) will play at No. 4 Minnesota for two games next weekend.

Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on X @Nathaniel_Bott