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The Michigan State Spartans suffered their second loss of the season on Thursday, falling 3-1 to the No. 5 ranked Minnesota Golden Gophers.
After a sluggish start to the game, the Spartans found themselves trailing the Gophers for most of the game, until a late score by Cole Krygier got MSU on the board. The Spartans struggled to find opportunities to score throughout the game, with only 14 shots on goal through the first two periods before finishing with 25, while allowing the Gophers to have 34.
Michigan State couldn’t stay at full strength either against a very good Minnesota team. The Spartans went to the power play just four times, with Minnesota in the power play seven times. Head Coach Danton Cole said that they can’t afford those penalties.
“When things get hard, you have to play the right way,” Cole said on the penalties given up late in the game that left the Spartans shorthanded in critical times. Cole also praised the Golden Gophers for their speed and style of play, while also admitting the Spartans didn’t play to the level they’re capable of.
“It’s one of those games where you can come out of the first period and pick apart about 20 different things,” Cole said. “We’ll be better tomorrow.” You can listen to Cole’s full remarks as well as Tommy Apap’s, below.
The Spartans and Gophers are set to play game two of the series on Friday at 8 p.m., with broadcasts on Fox Sports Detroit, BTN+, or on the radio on the Spartan Media Network.