No. 4 Gophers start out strong, beat Michigan State 4-2

The No. 4-ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers won their third straight game by defeating the Michigan State Spartans 4-2 on Friday night.

Minnesota (17-5) got off to a 2-0 lead in the first period with goals from Ben Mayers and Jackson LaCombe.

Brannon McManus made the score 3-0 with a nifty move in front of the net with 7:15 left in the second period.

ope. pic.twitter.com/KkMUpaxPMX

— Minnesota Men’s Hockey (@GopherHockey) February 20, 2021

MSU put a goal on the board later in the second, but McManus assisted Sampo Ranta on a breakaway with 13:28 remaining in the third period that put the Gophers up 4-1.

Breakaway!

Sampo Ranta scores goal 1️⃣5️⃣ and @GopherHockey is rolling against Sparty! pic.twitter.com/OYKvCd5Nb7

— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) February 20, 2021

The Spartans added one more goal in the third period to make the final score 4-2.

Minnesota will finish its series against Michigan State on Saturday at 5 p.m. at 3M Arena at Mariucci. That game will be televised on FOX Sports North.