Box Score     Mankato, Minn. --- Top-rated Minnesota took advantage on special teams, scoring two power play goals en route to a 4-1 victory over #14 Minnesota State in Mankato Saturday.

Minnesota got on the board in the first period on a goal scored by junior defenseman Justin Holl, who skated into the offensive zone with the puck all alone and slipped a shot past MSU freshman goaltender Stephon Williams at 12:34. Minnesota connected again in the period, this time on the power play goal scored by junior defenseman Nate Schmidt  took a pass from junior forward Zach Budish and ripped a shot past Williams at 18:11.

Minnesota scored again on the power play in the third period, on a goal scored by Budish, who wristed a shot that beat Williams low on the blocker side at 9:46. MSU answered right back on a goal scored by junior forward Zach Lehrke, who collected a rebound off a shot by freshman forward Bryce Gervais and slapped a shot past Minnesota freshman goaltender Adam Wilcox at 12:59. Minnesota added an empty net goal scored by junior forward Erik Haula at 16:28 to close things out.

Minnesota outshot Minnesota State 29-27.  The Mavericks were zero-for-two on the power play, while Minnesota was  two-for-three in power play chances. The game was played in front of 5,134 fans at Verizon Wireless Center, the fifth-largest crowd ever at the facility.

14^th ranked Minnesota State is now 16-9-3 overall and 10-9-1 in WCHA games on the season.

MSU resumes WCHA action February 8^th-9^th against Minnesota Duluth in Duluth, Minn.

Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings commented after the game.


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