In five games this season, Minnesota has now outscored Bemidji State 17-5. Saturday's result extends the Gophers' overall record to 21-5-1 and their overall winning streak to five games. They will return to playing their games inside next weekend with a big series at home against Ohio State.

The game will be considered a tie officially, but the shootout win for the Spartans means they’ll get the extra point in the Big Ten standings. Michigan State earned five of the six available points in this weekend’s two-game series against Minnesota. The Spartans now hold a five-point lead over the Golden Gophers in Big Ten play.

The Gophers defeated Bemidji State 4-1, with the teams set to battle Saturday outdoors on Hockey Day in Minnesota.

Gophers women's hockey took down their in-state rival Bemidji State 4-1 in a midday battle at Ridder Arena Friday before Saturday's Hockey Day Minnesota clash at Valleyfair. After a scoreless first period, senior forward Peyton Hemp put Minnesota on the board with her 11th goal of the season just under seven minutes into the second period.

In a game that took place in an outdoor rink constructed in the Valleyfair parking lot for this year’s Hockey Day Minnesota, “fun” was the operative word for the Gophers as they skated past Bemidji State, 3-1, for their sixth consecutive win.

So in some ways, their game on Saturday morning in Shakopee versus Bemidji State as part of Hockey Day Minnesota will be an advanced version of those pickup games from a decade or so ago. “I’m pumped to be a part of it.