Spartans Honor a Fallen Friend with an Emotional 3-1 Win Over Minnesota
On a night that was about far more than hockey, Michigan State delivered a performance that was both dominant and deeply emotional, skating to a 3-1 win over Minnesota in front of 6,555 fans at Munn Ice Arena. The Spartans weren’t just playing for points in the standings - they were playing for Dan Sturges.
Sturges, a beloved figure within the Michigan State hockey community, passed away unexpectedly last week at just 40 years old. His sudden loss left a heavy cloud over the program, but Friday night, the Spartans found a way to channel that grief into purpose. Before the puck dropped, the team held a moment of silence in his honor and wore special “DS” patches on their sweaters - a simple but powerful gesture that reminded everyone in the building that this game was for something bigger.
Michigan State came out with energy and focus, refusing to let emotion become a distraction. They knew Minnesota was struggling - just eight wins on the season - but this wasn’t about taking an opponent lightly.
Head coach Adam Nightingale made sure of that. With two of the Big Ten’s top teams looming on the schedule, the Spartans stayed locked in on the task at hand.
And they delivered.
From the opening faceoff, Michigan State dictated the pace. They peppered Minnesota goalie Luca Di Pasquo - a former Spartan now wearing maroon and gold - with 43 shots.
Di Pasquo, to his credit, stood tall for much of the night, turning away chance after chance with a level of desperation that bordered on heroic. But even the best efforts can only hold back the tide for so long.
Eventually, the Spartans broke through.
It was a balanced attack that got the job done. Ryker Lee, fresh off a strong showing with Team USA at the World Juniors, continued his impressive stretch with his ninth goal of the season - a highlight-reel 360-degree backhand that showcased the confidence he’s been playing with lately. That goal tied him for third-most on the team and set the tone early.
Then came contributions from deeper down the lineup - the kind of depth scoring that separates good teams from great ones. Gavin O’Connell, who had just two goals coming into the night, buried his third of the year in the second period to give the Spartans a 2-0 cushion. Just 34 seconds into the third, defenseman Maxim Strbak added his second of the season, stretching the lead to 3-0 and putting the game out of reach.
Minnesota’s LJ Mooney would spoil the shutout bid with a late power-play goal, but that was all the Gophers could muster.
Between the pipes, Trey Augustine once again proved why he’s the top goaltender in the conference. Calm, composed, and technically sound, Augustine turned away 25 of 26 shots and lowered his goals-against average in the process. He’ll be back in net Saturday night for Star Wars Night, but Friday was about something far more grounded - honoring a friend, a mentor, and a member of the Spartan family.
After the game, Nightingale reflected on the moment, noting that “Sturges would be proud of Luca.” It was a touching nod to both the present and the past - a reminder that while teams may change jerseys, the bonds formed in college hockey often run deeper than the scoreboard.
This win was about more than just two points. It was about resilience, unity, and playing for something bigger than yourself. The Spartans did that - and they did it with heart.