Saturday's hockey: MSU's Augustine posts 30-save shutout; Wolverines sweep Buckeyes

Red Wings draft pick Trey Augustine posted a 30-save shutout for No. 8 Michigan State in a 4-0 win against No. 20 Notre Dame on Saturday in South Bend, Indiana.

It was Augustine's third shutout in Big Ten play and improved his overall record to 16-6-2 with a .914 save percentage with the Spartans (18-7-3, 12-4-2 Big Ten).

"Getting a shutout is a pretty cool feeling," said Augustine, a South Lyon native. "The guys did a good job in front of me. A lot of credit goes to them."

Karsen Dorwart scored his career-best 11th goal, Red Savage's ninth goal was his career best, Jeremy Davidson and Artyom Levshuov had the other goals and Matt Basgill and Joey Larson added two assists apiece.

Michigan State swept the two-game series against the Fighting Irish with 18 overall victories matching the 2022-23 total.

MSU's 12 Big Ten wins are the most in program history. They won 11 games in 2014-15 and 2019-20.

Michigan 4, Ohio State 1

The No. 12 Michigan Wolverines swept the Ohio State Buckeyes with a 4-1 win on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.

Josh Eernisse scored two goals, Ethan Edwards and Rutger McGroarty added singles, Gavin Brindley had two assists and goalie Jake Barczewski made 29 saves.

This week, Michigan and Michigan State will play a pair of games on Friday and Saturday.

They'll meet in Ann Arbor on Friday at Yost Ice Arena at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the teams will travel to Detroit for the annual "Duel in the D" at Little Caesars Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.

Western Michigan 7, Denver 2

No. 15 Western Michigan upset No. 5 Denver 7-2 at Magness Arena in Denver on Saturday.

Sam Colangelo scored two goals, Joe Cassetti, Dylan Wendt, Chad Hillebrand, Matteo Costantini and Alex Bump had the other goals, Carter Berger added two assists and goalie Cameron Rowe stopped 23 shots.

Red Wings prospect Shai Buium, a 6-4, 210-pound defenseman and second-round draft pick in 2021, scored a goal for Denver to extend his scoring streak to five games (three goals, four assists).

Matthews, Marner shine in 3-on-3 All-Star Game

Auston Matthews and his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates soaked in the spotlight of NHL All-Star Weekend as the hometown fan favorites, and they gave the crowd the ending it wanted.

Matthews scored twice, including a game winner, and had an assist to beat reigning MVP Connor McDavid’s team 7-4 in the final of the All-Star 3-on-3 tournament on Saturday. Matthews, the U.S.-born face of Canada's richest franchise who last summer re-signed to stay in Toronto through 2028, was named MVP.

Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat was a member of the Matthews' team and recorded a goal and two assists in the final. He also had two goals, an assist and the shootout winner in a 6-5 win over Team Hughes.

More:Justin Bieber grabs spotlight on Alex DeBrincat's team at NHL All-Star Weekend

Leafs forward Mitch Marner also had a goal, and he and Matthews were able to celebrate with teammates Morgan Rielly and William Nylander as the entire team splits the $1 million prize.

“The whole weekend in itself is special for all of us, especially the host city and the hometown guys," Matthews said. “Nice to cap it off with a win, and everybody goes home happy.”

Team Matthews winning the finale of a new-look All-Star Weekend, featuring the return of the popular player draft and a redesigned skills competition, in the Leafs home rink made it a dream event for the league on the ice. Off the ice, the Hockey Canada sexual assault investigation and charges pending against four current NHL players loomed over the festivities, which also included an Olympic agreement for 2026 and 2030.

The success of the Leafs quartet came a day after McDavid stole the show by winning the skills competition he played a big role in altering. As much as the Edmonton Oilers captain was motivated Friday night, Matthews' team cared about getting the job done in the 3-on-3 tournament.

“We wanted to win, for sure,” Matthews said. “Talking in the locker room, I don’t think there was much messing around. Everybody was on the same page to try to go out there and put in a pretty good effort and try to come out with a good result.”

Marner wouldn't have it any other way. Growing up in nearby Markham, Ontario, watching All-Star Games growing up, being in one in Toronto was something he cherished.

“You always dream of being a part of one,” Marner said. “To have it in this city, it’s pretty remarkable and to be able to enjoy with the ones that got me to where I am, it’s even better.”

It couldn't have been much better for Rielly, a first-time All-Star who did not expect to feel nervous before the 3-on-3 exhibition.

“I think when you’re in that environment around all those elite players, I think I was a little nervous,” Rielly said.

The event that leaned into being in Canada's biggest city had plenty of star power – and not just in hockey. Singers Justin Bieber, Michael Bublé and Tate McRae and actor Will Arnett served as celebrity captains – and McRae performed at an MVP-caliber level between the semifinals and final.

“Just cool to have somebody like (Bieber) and the other celebrities we had over the weekend come in,” Matthews said. “They’re so down the earth and engaging with players, staff, people that are around.”

New York Rangers coach Peter Laviolette got to spend a lot of time with Arnett, who was behind the bench for the 3-on-3 tournament. Arnett also may have provided a little bit of the winning motivation to end an eventful All-Star Weekend on a high note.

“He gave a speech before the first game that was right up there with some of the best,” Laviolette said. “For a guy like him to come in – a huge fan of the game, loves the game – (and) to be a part of that is really good.”

Hughes 'really close' to returning from injury

Jack Hughes is nearing a return to the New Jersey Devils lineup after missing the past month because of an injury.

The team said Saturday that Hughes is “really close” to playing again and decided to return home to New Jersey on Friday night to begin his preparations for the second half of the NHL season. He voiced optimism about an imminent return earlier in the week.

“Hopefully I come out of the break here and feel good and can finish the year off really strong,” Hughes said.

He participated in some All-Star Weekend festivities anyway to spend time with brother Quinn of the Vancouver Canucks.

“I don’t know when I'll get the chance to do this again with Quinn, so it definitely was important to both of us for me to come and show up,” Hughes said.

Hughes, the face of the Devils franchise and their second-leading scorer with 45 points in 32 games, has not played since suffering an upper-body injury Jan. 5. The league held out hope of him taking the ice for the All-Star skills competition and 3-on-3 tournament, but Hughes was ruled out last week.

“Obviously a bummer but no one’s fault, just tough timing and just the way she went,” he said. “Still fortunate to be here with Quinn and stuff.”

Hughes and the Devils sit five points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after reaching the second round of the playoffs last year.

Jenner's moment

A first-time All-Star at age 30, Boone Jenner scored a goal early in the 3-on-3 tournament Saturday and got to enjoy a special moment. It came in the aftermath of the Columbus Blue Jackets captain missing nearly six weeks with a broken jaw.

“I just had a blast all weekend,” Jenner said. “Happy I could I make it back in time for it. Obviously it was a tough six weeks with the jaw. I found out the news about a month ago, and I had a couple weeks left, so really something to look forward to. I was pumped to be back in the lineup with the guys, but to be able to do this, too.”

Former teammate Oliver Bjorkstrand, now with Seattle and also a first-time All-Star, was thrilled to see Jenner celebrated.

“He’s had a great career so far,” Bjorkstrand. said. “He works so hard and deserves every bit of it.”

Bowness reacts to trade

A day after the Winnipeg Jets acquired center Sean Monahan from Montreal, coach Rick Bowness gave the trade his seal of approval.

“We’re absolutely thrilled,” Bowness said. “He’s a very important addition to our team. He’s going to help us in an awful lot of ways. We know he’s strong on faceoffs. He’s a solid 200-foot player, which we like to play. I hear nothing but great things about his character and his work habits and being a real good teammate.”

The move gives Winnipeg a 1-2 punch down the middle of Mark Scheifele and Monahan. Scheifele has been out with injury, though Bowness expects the Jets leading scorer back – perhaps as soon as Tuesday in the first game after the break.

“Makes the coach’s job a lot easier when you’re on the bench and need a goal and he’s sitting there,” Bowness said. “He’s played a wonderful 200-foot game this year. We certainly missed him while he’s been gone offensively. It did hurt, there’s no question, but again at both ends of the ice he’s been a wonderful teammate this year, he’s a great leader."

Michigan-area hockey this week

Saturday

▶ Michigan 4, Ohio State 1

▶ Michigan State 4, Notre Dame 0

▶ Western Michigan 7, University of Denver 2

▶ Northern Michigan 4, Michigan Tech 3 (SO)

▶ Bowling Green 3, Ferris State 1

Friday

▶ Grand Rapids 3, Rockford 2 (SO)

▶ Michigan 4, Ohio State 2

▶ Notre Dame 4, Michigan State 1

▶ University of Denver 3, Western Michigan 2

▶ Northern Michigan 4, Michigan Tech 1

▶ Bowling Green 4, Ferris State 3

Thursday

▶ NTDP U18s 5, Youngstown 3

Wednesday

▶ Ottawa 3, Red Wings 2 (OT)