Box Score              Mankato, Minn.  --- Second-rated Minnesota State got three goals from junior forward Dylan Margonari in skating past Alaska, 5-2, in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association contest played in Mankato Saturday evening.

Sophomore defenseman Casey Nelson scored with the Mavericks on the power play at 8:11 of the opening period to get things going.

It became a 2-0 Minnesota State lead at 5:20 of the second on a Dylan Margonari tally, but the Nanooks responded with a pair of goals before the end of the period.  Nolan Youngmun beat Stephon Williams gloveside at 9:10 and then Tyler Morley converted on a power play chance at 17:27 to send the two teams into the locker rooms tied at two at the end of two periods of action.

Magonari roofed a backhander at the :41-second mark of the third period to give the Mavericks a 3-2 lead and freshman forward Brad McClure tallied his sixth goal of the season at 8:47 when he beat Nanook netminder Davis Jones from in tight.  Margonari then completed his first career hat trick when he ripped one in from the slot past Jones at 19:34.

The hat trick by Margonari is the fourth by a Maverick this season (junior forwards Bryce Gervais, Teddy Blueger and Brett Knowles have the others).  McClure and Casey Nelson both enjoyed two-point games with a goal and an assist each.  Cole Huggins finished with six saves in the third period and upped his record to 1-2-0 for the year with the decision.

Minnesota State, which converted on two-of-five power play chances, outshot Alaska by a 24-14 margin in the game.

The Mavericks are now 12-4-0 on the season (10-2-0 WCHA) with tonight's victory.

Minnesota State continues home action next Friday and Saturday with nonconference foe Princeton visiting Verizon Wireless Center.

Dylan Margonari commented following the win.




Mike Hastings commented following the win.