Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State rallied from a two-goal deficit, scoring twice in the last ten minutes, in earning a 3-3 overtime tie with visiting RPI, 3-3, Friday in Mankato.
The Mavericks struck first on an early powerplay goal from freshman forward #
Teddy Blueger# when he converted on a rebound with the Mavericks on the power play at 16:35 of the opening frame for his first career marker. Less than four minutes later RPI tied it up with a powerplay goal of its own
Nick Bailen tallied on a scrappy play in front of the net where the puck appeared to have deflected off a MSU defenseman. The,n at 16:17, freshman forward #
Dylan Margonari# had a chance to put MSU on top with a penalty shot after he stole a pass near center ice and was tripped from behind on the breakaway. Margonari's penalty shot attempt was denied for RPI netminder Scott Diebold.
The second period was a defensive battle with great goaltending by both sides. RPI took the 2-1 lead late in the period at 16:36 after
Matt Neal converted on a pass from behind the net by
Brock Higgs.
In the third period, RPI increased its lead on a goal by by
Ryan Haggerty at 7:19. The Mavericks responded at 9:12 after
Johnny McInnis found the back of the net after collecting a rebound off as shot from the point by
Zach Palmquist bounced off of #
Brett Knowles#. After continuing to battle back MSU forced overtime at 3:04 tying it at 3-3 after freshman forward #
Bryce Gervai#s stuck the puck right between the legs of Diebold off a great centering pass from sophomore centerman #
Matt Leitner#. The game-tying goal is the first career goal at MSU for Gervais.
Neither team was able to take advantage in overtime as the game ended in a 3-3 tie.
Now 1-0-2 overall on the season, the Mavericks were outshot 26-23 in the game. MSU went one-for-seven on the power play, while the Engineers were one-for-six and the game was played in front of 3.266 fans at Verizon Wireless Center.
MSU and RPI will close out the two-game series Saturday night with a 7:07 p.m. face-off scheduled.
Maverick head coach Mike Hastings provided comments following the game:
