The Gophers got the game’s first power play with 42 seconds left in the first period and applied heavy pressure, but Augustine denied Jimmy Snuggerud, Oliver Moore and Matthew Wood in a 10-second span.
The Gophers started the second period with 1:18 of carryover power-play time but could not maintain possession as the Spartans killed the remainder of the penalty.
Minnesota held Michigan State to no shots on goal in the first 6:55 of the second before Stramel tested Souliere.
The Spartans went on the power play at 7:34 when Gophers defenseman Sam Rinzel was called for holding — a call with which Rinzel and the crowd vehemently disagreed. Howard cashed in with a one-timer at 8:07 for a 1-0 Spartans lead.
The Gophers tied it 1-1 at 9:46 when Ziemer took a pass from Snuggerud, raced into the Spartans zone, used an MSU defender as screen, toe-dragged the puck and fired a laser over Augustine’s right shoulder.
Minnesota went on the power play at 12:39 of the second when Spartans defenseman Owen West was called for holding. Michigan State killed the penalty with Augustine making one save.