Gavin O’Connell Celebrates Birthday, Milestone as Michigan State Hockey Wins 4-2

On Thursday, Michigan State hockey and junior forward Gavin O’Connell entered the night focused. The Big Ten title was laid out in front of them, as winning out in regulation for the next six games will give the Spartans another title under Adam Nightingale.

Meanwhile, for O’Connell, it was his birthday, and he entered the night one point away from his 50^th career point for Michigan State hockey.

With the team on fresh legs after a bye week, and Notre Dame being the worst team in the conference based on record, it appeared to be a brewing blowout. Thursday proved why the games are played, with Notre Dame outshooting the Spartans and Michigan State needing a season-high 37 saves from Trey Augustine to emerge winners, 4-2.

Immediately after the game, O’Connell and Nightingale both showed tremendous respect towards their opponent, calling them a top 15 team in the country, in spite of their record. Thanks to Gavin O’Connell scoring the third (and game-winning goal) twice, Michigan State survived the upset minded Fighting Irish.

A Night to Remember for Gavin O’Connell

O’Connell entered the night on a mission. The Spartans, donning the 1986 throwbacks with the championship team in the building, strived to play as good as their uniforms looked.

The Irish, however, had different plans. After a review, the Irish tied the game at two apiece with 15:16 left in the second period. O’Connell and the Spartans were not phased due to their self-belief, as they expected this Notre Dame team to fight, and had high expectations of the Irish despite their record.

“We believe in each other, believe in the team, believe in the process. We know they are actually a really good team, their record is a lot worse than they are as a team,” O’Connell said of the Fighting Irish. “It’s just belief in each other. Obviously, anything could happen, but if you play the right way, hopefully everything will go our way.”

O’Connell scored the go-ahead goal, but that celebration was short-lived. Immediately after scoring, the officials waved off the goal, saying they had blown the whistle and declared the puck dead.

“I didn’t hear the whistle,” O’Connell admitted, “so I thought it was a good goal. I saw the puck trickling down, they said it might have been that his helmet came off. So, I did not really notice that. I was pretty upset, but I knew that hopefully the hockey gods would have my back,” he said to a round of laughs with the media.

(Author’s note: Adam Nightingale later clarified to the media that the official reason the puck was declared dead was due to the goaltender’s helmet coming lose as a safety concern.)

However, O’Connell was able to capitalize later in the period, as he struck after a beautiful pass from freshman Cayden Lindstrom set him up in a perfect position. The puck found it’s way to the back of the net, and this time, the lamp lighting counted.

“Good look by Lindy (Cayden Lindstrom), it was an unreal play. He saw me, made a good look, and I was fortunate enough to score the goal,” O’Connell said of his thoughts on the game-winner.

This goal might mean a little more than most to the junior, as it was a game-winner on his birthday that secured Michigan State a three-point outing to open their Notre Dame series. While there was some room to lament missing out on a two-goal night, it was all smiles as Michigan State emerged victorious in regulation after a Porter Martone empty-netter sealed the game with 1:19 left.

“It’s fun,” O’Connell quipped when asked about scoring on his birthday. “It’s a nice little birthday present, but obviously, the best birthday present was three points and a win, and scoring was a little bit of a cherry on top. It was unfortunate that the other goal got called back, but dang, whatever, it’s good to get back, and it ended up being the game winner, which was fun. I’m just happy the team won.”

What’s up next for Michigan State hockey?

The Spartans host Notre Dame in the second game of the series on Friday, February 20 at 6 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.