Mankato, Minn.  --- Fourth-rated Minnesota State dealt Lake Superior State a 3-1 loss in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association contest played in Mankato Saturday evening.

Combined with Friday's 5-2 win over the Lakers, the Mavericks claimed their third home sweep of the year. With tonight's victory Minnesota State has gone 11-1-1 in its last 13 games.

Senior defenseman Zach Palmquist wristed a shot from the point that appeared to bounce off a Lake Superior State shin pad before tumbling past Gordon Defiel to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead at 4:08 of the opening period.

Freshman forward C.J. Franklin got his fifth goal of the season at 15:19 of the second after he took a pass from junior forward Teddy Blueger and rifled it over Defiel's shoulder stickside.

A scramble in front of Lake Superior State's net ended with junior forward Dylan Margonari being credited with his ninth goal of the year at the 2:06 mark of the third.  The Lakers got on the board a short time later, when Mitchell Nardi beat a prone Stephon Williams at 2:47 to round out scoring in the game.
Minnesota State, failed to convert on either of its two power play chances in the game, outshot Lake Superior State by a 36-25 margin in the game.

The Mavericks are now 16-4-1 on the season (13-2-1 WCHA) with tonight's victory, while Lake Superior State drops to 4-19-1 (3-13-0 WCHA).

Minnesota State continues league action with a two-game road series at Ferris State next weekend.