It has the makings of a new rivalry.
Michigan State and the Gophers required overtime and a shootout on Friday night for the second time in three meetings this season. Their after-whistle exchanges weren't friendly. And yet again, the Spartans got the best of the country's No. 1-ranked team in a shootout.
J.T. Stenglein and Matt Berry scored shootout goals to complete the Spartans' 2-1 edge in a sudden-death sixth round. Taylor Cammarata briefly extended the shootout, but Sam Warning was stuffed by Jake Hildebrand to end the late night.
The game officially ended in a 2-2 tie, the same finish the Gophers and Spartans had the first time they met in early December in East Lansing, Mich.
"The competition in the Big Ten, I think, is really going to build into something special. It's premature to say too much too soon, but you can feel momentum building," Spartans coach Tom Anastos said. "I hope we build rivalries with Minnesota and all the other schools. I think it'd be great for college hockey."
Michigan State (8-12-4, 2-4-2-3 Big Ten) is the only conference team to have any success against the Gophers (18-2-5, 7-0-2).
The Gophers rallied from an early deficit to force overtime. Justin Kloos deflected in Brady Skjei's deep attempt in the third period.
Both teams exchanged good scoring chances in overtime but neither could convert.