By Neil Koepke
MSUSpartans.com staff writer
NEW YORK – Michigan State stared adversity right in the face on Saturday at Madison Square Garden and responded with an effort worth savoring and repeating.
Unfortunately, the Spartans’ tremendous effort – minus two of their best players – didn’t lead to a victory over a highly skilled team loaded with NHL draft picks.
After battling back to tie the game 1-1 eight minutes into the third period, the Spartans suffered another heartbreaking loss.
Minnesota’s Brent Gates Jr. swatted in a bouncing puck in the slot with 3:29 left and the Gophers held on for a 2-1 Big Ten victory in front of an announced crowd of 3,883.