Mankato, Minn. --- A strong second period gave Minnesota State the boost it needed in a 5-4 home Western Collegiate Hockey Association win over Colorado College on Friday night in Mankato.

The Tigers found the net first early on in the opening frame at 2:27, when sophomore William Rapuzzi beat sophomore goaltender Phil Cook on a one-timer. The second goal of the period came off the crossbar from CC freshman forward Jaden Schwartz at 14:40.

MSU scored first in the second period with on a quick backhander by freshman Chase Grant at 1:38. Senior Andrew Sackrison followed up with an MSU power play goal at 16:23. MSU scored again on the power play at 18:05 when the puck went in off the body of Grant for his second goal of the night.

A fast-moving third period started out with CC tying the game at 3:21 with a wrist shot from freshman William Krushelnyski. MSU struck back when junior Adam Mueller got his first goal of the season when his short-handed wristshot from the right circle at 4:36 on a pass from Sackrison beat Joe Howe.

CC’s Jaden Schwartz evened the score quickly after the face-off at 10:36, but MSU sophomore Eriah Hayes answered right back with the game winning goal at 11:35 on a shot from the side that appeared to bank in off of Howe's leg.

Sackrison had a goal and two assists over the night, Hayes had a goal and an assist and senior defenseman Kurt Davis was credited with two helpers.  Cook had 39 saves as the Mavericks were outshot for the first time this year, 43-34.

The Mavericks, now 1-1-3 overall (1-1-1 WCHA) on the season, meet the Tigers (2-2-1, 0-1-0 WCHA) again Saturday night with a 7:07(CST) p. m. scheduled start .

MSU head coach Troy Jutting comments following Friday's game: