Box Score Mankato, Minn. --- 18^th-rated Minnesota State jumped out to a 3-1 first period lead in cruising to a 6-1 nonconference victory over the University of Connecticut in men's hockey action in Mankato Saturday.

The Mavericks jumped out to a 3-1 lead by the end of the opening period. Junior forward Jean-Paul Lafontaine got his first goal of the year when his shot from below the left dot beat UConn netminder Matt Grogan at 6:17. It became a 2-0 lead at 8:42 after sophomore Bryce Gervais took a nice feed from junior forward Matt Leitner before spinning around to put the puck past Grogan. The Huskies got one back at 12:02 on the power play marker by Jordan Sims, but the Mavericks tallied before the end of the period with sophomore Dylan Margonari's goal coming at 19:46.

After a scoreless second period, the Mavericks added three more goals in the final stanza. Freshman defenseman Casey Nelson got his first career goal when his snap shot from the point beat Grogan on the shortside at 1:54. Junior Chase Grant deflected Matt Leitner's shot from the left point into the back of the net at 13:03 and freshman forward Jordan Nelson notched his first goal with the Mavericks on the power play at 19:15.

Minnesota State, which got a goal and an assist each from Casey Nelson and Bryce Gervais and two assists from Matt Leitner, owned a 48-17 advantage in shots on goal and went one-for-three on the power play against the Huskies.

UConn, which falls to 0-2-0 for 2013-14, went one-for-three in power play chances on the. The game was played in front of 3,911 fans at Verizon Wireless Center.

The Mavericks, who are 2-2-0 for the year, are idle next weekend before beginning the Western Collegiate Hockey Association schedule Nov. 1-2 at Bemidji State.

Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the game.


Freshman defenseman Casey Nelsoncommented following the game.