Box Score Minneapolis, Minn. ---  Top-ranked Minnesota used eight goals in the final two periods, including three on the power-play, to defeat the Mavericks, 9-1, in front of 1,558 fans in a WCHA match-up Saturday afternoon at Ridder Arena

Penalties would prove costly for Minnesota State as it was unable to control a Golden Gopher power-play that finished four-of-six in the contest, while the Mavericks mustered one goal in their six opportunities with the advantage.

Minnesota would strike first at 11:21 of the first period when Hannah Brandt tucked a power-play goal just under the crossbar to provide UM a 1-0 lead, but the Mavericks responded at 17:18 as senior Lauren Smith netted the first MSU goal in over nine periods, also on the power-play, to tie the game at one a piece through one frame.

The Golden Gopher offense exploded in the second stanza as Megan Bozek, Becky Kortum, Rachel Bona, and Amanda Kessel all scored less than six minutes apart to provide Minnesota a 5-1 lead through two periods.

Minnesota wasn’t done though as Bozek and Kessel’s second goals of the evening bookended a four-goal third period for UM that also saw Mira Jalosuo and Maryanne Menefee find twine.

Junior goaltender Danielle Butters finished with 36 saves for the Mavericks, while Noora Raty made six stops in two frames to earn the win for the Golden Gophers.

Minnesota State (4-8-2, 2-6-1-1 in WCHA) returns to the friendly confines of All Seasons Arena for the first time in over a month next Friday as it prepares to do battle with Bemidji State beginning at 7:07 p.m.