Duluth, Minn.  ---  Minnesota State held the lead twice, but could not fend off the defending national champions, eventually falling to Minnesota Duluth in the second overtime period, 3-2, Saturday.

With the win UMD claims the best-of-three Western Collegiate Hockey Association series and advances to the WCHA Final Five which takes place in St. Paul, Minn., next Thursday through Saturday.

Freshman center Matt Leitner scored his 11^th goal of the season with the Mavericks on the power play at 19:05 of the first period in getting the Mavericks off to a 1-0 first period lead.  UMD’s David Grun beat MSU senior Austin Lee at 13:46 of the second stanza to knot the score.  MSU took its second lead at 3:54 of the second on a Tyler Elbrecht blast from the point. The goal is Elbrecht’s first of the year.  UMD sophomore forward J.T. Brown’s power play marker at 6:59 of the third period sent the game into overtime.

The Mavericks owned a 16-15 advantage in a scoreless first overtime.

UMD ended MSU’s season at 4:07 of the second overtime period when Mike Seidel notched his 15^th goal of the season.

Both teams were one-of-four in power play chances in the game.

MSU netminder Austin Lee had 56 saves in the contest which are the most saves by a Maverick goaltender during its NCAA Division I era.  Des Christopher had 54 stops in a 3-1 loss to Colorado CollegeDec. 12, 1997.

With tonight’s loss, the Mavericks finish the 2011-12 season with a 12-24-2 overall record.

Tonight's box score is located HERE.