Friday, October 17
Boston, Mass.
7 PM
Michigan State University
2-1-0
4
at
2
Boston University
2-1-1
1
2
3
F
Michigan St.
3
0
1
4
Boston U.
1
0
1
2
Photo by: Michael Caples
#3/4 Spartan Hockey Knocks Off #1/1 Boston University
10/18/2025 12:30:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
BOSTON – Michigan State hockey set the tone early en route to a 4-2 victory over consensus No. 1-ranked Boston University on Friday night at Agganis Arena on ESPN2.
"I thought we played pretty consistent throughout the game," said Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale. "Obviously we have a ton of respect for BU and their program. We knew this was going to be a really good test for our group."
MSU improves to 2-1-0 while handing top-ranked Boston University its first loss of the season at 2-1-1. Both sides return to Agganis Arena on Saturday for the series finale at 7 p.m.
The Spartans out-shot BU 34-20 led by six apiece from junior Maxim Strbak and sophomore Shane Vansaghi. MSU got goals from Vansaghi, senior Charlie Stramel, freshman Eric Nilson and freshman Cayden Lindstrom. Lindstrom was one of three Spartans to register multiple points on Friday joining senior Matt Basgall and junior Gavin O'Connell who had two assists each. Junior Trey Augustine made 18 saves in goal.
Michigan State took an early 1-0 lead when Stramel scored on a deflection just before time expired on a Spartan power play. Basgall sent a shot in from near the blue line as the Terrier player was being released from the penalty box and Stramel was ready to capitalize at the 5:52 mark.
The Spartans faced a 4-on-5 situation at the 6:08 mark of the first, but a turnover created at center ice by Nilson led to his first career goal and MSU's first short-handed goal of the season.
Michigan State successfully killed a 5:00 major penalty mid-way through the opening period, but BU halved the Spartan lead to 2-1 on a power play at the 13:17 mark of the first.
Lindstrom returned MSU's two-goal advantage to 3-1 late in the first after a stretch pass from O'Connell found Lindstrom streaking down ice, beating the BU goalkeeper between the legs for his first career goal.
A defensive second period saw the Spartans head to the third maintaining their 3-1 lead over BU. Augustine made a great glove save on a Terrier one-timer at the 3:08 mark of the second to thwart BU's best opportunity of the period.
Vansaghi added an insurance goal for MSU at the 1:57 mark of the third period, collecting and slotting home his own rebound after Lindstrom directed the puck back to him with his skate.
Game Notes
"I thought we played pretty consistent throughout the game," said Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale. "Obviously we have a ton of respect for BU and their program. We knew this was going to be a really good test for our group."
MSU improves to 2-1-0 while handing top-ranked Boston University its first loss of the season at 2-1-1. Both sides return to Agganis Arena on Saturday for the series finale at 7 p.m.
The Spartans out-shot BU 34-20 led by six apiece from junior Maxim Strbak and sophomore Shane Vansaghi. MSU got goals from Vansaghi, senior Charlie Stramel, freshman Eric Nilson and freshman Cayden Lindstrom. Lindstrom was one of three Spartans to register multiple points on Friday joining senior Matt Basgall and junior Gavin O'Connell who had two assists each. Junior Trey Augustine made 18 saves in goal.
Michigan State took an early 1-0 lead when Stramel scored on a deflection just before time expired on a Spartan power play. Basgall sent a shot in from near the blue line as the Terrier player was being released from the penalty box and Stramel was ready to capitalize at the 5:52 mark.
The Spartans faced a 4-on-5 situation at the 6:08 mark of the first, but a turnover created at center ice by Nilson led to his first career goal and MSU's first short-handed goal of the season.
Michigan State successfully killed a 5:00 major penalty mid-way through the opening period, but BU halved the Spartan lead to 2-1 on a power play at the 13:17 mark of the first.
Lindstrom returned MSU's two-goal advantage to 3-1 late in the first after a stretch pass from O'Connell found Lindstrom streaking down ice, beating the BU goalkeeper between the legs for his first career goal.
P1 | 15:12 | MSU 3 - BU 1
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) October 17, 2025
Cayden Lindstrom goes five-hole for his first collegiate goal! What a find by Gavin O'Connell! pic.twitter.com/MqoE5KUfXv
A defensive second period saw the Spartans head to the third maintaining their 3-1 lead over BU. Augustine made a great glove save on a Terrier one-timer at the 3:08 mark of the second to thwart BU's best opportunity of the period.
P2 | 3:08 | MSU 3 - BU 1
— Michigan State Hockey (@MSU_Hockey) October 18, 2025
Glove save by Augustine! pic.twitter.com/okFqLizVb7
Vansaghi added an insurance goal for MSU at the 1:57 mark of the third period, collecting and slotting home his own rebound after Lindstrom directed the puck back to him with his skate.
Vansaghi seals the deal for @MSU_Hockey 🚨#NCAAHockey x 🎥 ESPN 2pic.twitter.com/2oIngevRpE
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) October 18, 2025
Game Notes
- Freshmen Cole Ward and Austin Baker each made their collegiate debuts on Friday
- Freshmen Eric Nilson and Cayden Lindstrom both posted their first career goals in the first period, with Lindstrom earning his first multi-point game as a Spartan
- Senior Matt Basgall tallied his 10th career multi-point game and his first since 1/24/25 against Minnesota
- Junior Gavin O'Connell set a new career-best with two assists in Friday's game, his 10th career multi-point performance
- Freshman Ryker Lee earned his first career point via a secondary assist on Stramel's first period goal
Team Stats
MSU
BOS
Shots
34
20
PPG
1
2
SHG
1
0
Penalties
8
5
Penalty Mins
35
18
Faceoffs Won
31
35
Game Leaders
+/-
2
Goals
1
Sh
4
A
1
+/-
2
Goals
0
Sh
2
A
2
+/-
1
Goals
0
Sh
1
A
2
+/-
2
Goals
1
Sh
6
A
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Ice Hockey
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/ Men's Ice Hockey
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