Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State dropped a 4-2 decision to #5 North Dakota in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game Sunday in Mankato.
 
The Mavericks dropped both games of the series to the Sioux - this afternoon's game was originally scheduled for Saturday night, but had to be postponed until this afternoon due to inclement weather.
 

The Mavericks drew first blood Sunday when senior Ben Youds shot one in high on the glove side of Sioux sophomore goaltender Aaron Dell, unassisted, at 5:07. The Sioux evened things up at 10:53 with Matt Frattin, who made a nice move high in the offensive zone before putting the puck past MSU junior netminder Austin Lee. MSU struck back on the power play when senior Rylan Galiardi scored on a breakaway after taking a long pass from Youds at 15:09. 

UND tied the game again at 10:39 in the second period when a shot from freshman Brock Nelson ricocheted off the stick an MSU player before going into the net. Senior Brad Malone gave UND the lead when he picked up the puck in the left circle and put it over Lee’s shoulder on the glove side at 14:47.

UND secured their win with an empty-netter from senior Evan Trupp at 19:06.

The Mavericks were outshot 32-21 on the night with Aaron Dell stopping 19 shots for UND, and Austin Lee stopping 28 for MSU. Ben Youds had a hand in both MSU goals and now has three goals and two assists for five points in the last three games.

Now  6-8-4 on the season (4-8-2 WCHA), the Mavericks won’t see action again until New Year’s Day, when they’ll take on Notre Dame in Hoffman Estates, Ill., as part of the Shillelagh Tournament. 

MSU head coach Troy Jutting comments following MSU's game with UND Sunday: