Mankato, Minn. ---  Minnesota State never trailed claiming a Friday night victory over Michigan Tech, 5-3, in Western Collegiate Hockey Association in action at Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato.

Minnesota State got things going when freshman defenseman Zach Palmquist beat Michigan Tech netminder Josh Robinson with a backhand shot high on the glove side at 10:46 of the first period. Second-year winger Zach Lehrke scored on a deflection at 15:45 and junior forward Eriah Hayes followed with a one-timer from the rightside that beat Robinson at 16:49. Michigan Tech winger David Johnstone didn’t let the Huskies end the period empty-handed after he beat MSU’s Phil Cook with power play over the shoulder on a one-timer from right side at 19:07.

Deflections influenced Michigan Tech’s offence in the second period with center Dennis Rix tipping a shot from the point at 8:83 and first-year center Tanner Kero then responded with a redirection that found the back of the net at 14:31 and the period ended with the score knotted at 3-3.

The Mavericks scored twice in the third to pull out the win.

First-year center Matt Leitner ripped a slap shot past Robinson with the Mavericks on a power play at 1:16 and sophomore inger Johnny McInnis finished off a nice passing play with Justin Jokinen at 11:52 to round out the scoring.

MSU’s goaltender Phil Cook finished the night with a season-high 43 saves in the game.

Minnesota State claimed ists first Friday night victory since a 4-2 non-conference victory Alabama-Huntsville Dec. 9 and its first conference Friday-night win sice Nov. 11 when the Mavericks claimed a 4-2 win over St. Cloud State.

The Huskies outshot the Mavericks by a 46-39 margin in the contest and went 2-for-5 on the power play. Minnesota State was 1-for-2 in power play opportunities.

Now 10-18-1 overall and 6-14-1 WCHA, MSU closes out the two-game series with the Huskies Saturday with a 7:07 p.m., face-off scheduled.

Freshman defenseman Zach Palmquist , who had a goal and an assist in the game, comments following MSU's  win:
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