Mankato, Minn. ---   Minnesota State dropped a 7-3 decision to Michigan Tech in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game played at Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato Saturday night

Combined with Friday's 5-3 win by MSU, the two teams split the league series, marking the fifth consecutive time the Mavericks have split a weekend series.

MSU came out strong when junior Evan Mosey’s pass bounced off a defenseman’s skate to score at 1:50 of the opening period. However, it didn’t take long for Michigan Tech’s offence to heat up when the Huskies scored five consecutive times. Winger Ryan Furne beat goaltender Phil Cook with a one-timer at 4:36.  Alex MacLeod took advantage of a rebound in the crease at 7:38 and less than two minutes later, at 8:13, Huskies’ center Brett Olson connected on a power play when he snuck in behind Cook for a tap in. Winger Patrick McCadden tallied at 11:26 and at 13:39 Olson’s shot caromed off of Cook’s glove for his second goal, signaling the end of Cook’s night in the MSU net.  Freshman center Matt Leitner took the puck off the wall from behind the net and backhanded it passed MTU’s Josh Robinson at 14:51. Furne beat Lee from right side at 17:45 to put Michigan Tech up 6-2 to close out the first-period fireworks.

The two teams exchanged goals in the second period when senior Bryce Reddick scored on a breakaway at 12:56 for Tech and MSU defenseman Zach Palmquist took a goal on a face off during a power play at 15:11.

The two teams battled through a scoreless third period and the game ended in Michigan Tech's favor at 7-3.  MSU freshman forward Matt Leitner had a hand in all three MSU goals with a goal and two assists and now has nine goals and 14 assists for 23 points on the season.

The Mavericks, who outshot the Huskies by a 38-30 margin in the contest, went 1-for-7 on the power play.  Michigan Tech was 2-for-7 in power play opportunities.

Now 10-19-1 overall and 6-15-1 WCHA, the Mavericks have gone 7-7-0 in their last 14 games. MSU continues WCHA action next weekend at Alaska Anchorage for a two-game league series Friday and Saturday.


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