Michigan State spoiled Michigan's Big Ten regular-season title hopes with a 2-1 victory on Saturday evening, clearing the way for the Gophers to win the Big Ten conference title outright.
A Gophers' victory or tie and shootout win against Penn State would claim another banner for the Gophers in the second year of Big Ten hockey. If the Gophers tie Penn State and lose in a shootout, they would share the conference title with Michigan State, but earn the No. 1 seed for next week's Big Ten tournament in Detroit.
If the Gophers lose, Michigan State wins the outright championship and the Gophers drop to the No. 3 seed for the conference tournament.
Jake Hildebrand secured the Spartans' victory with 37 saves against Michigan's nation-best offense. Matt Deblouw scored the eventual game-winning goal 29 seconds into the third period. Box score.
