Mankato, Minn.  --- Senior forward Teddy Blueger enjoyed a career night in leading Minnesota State to a 6-2 victory over Alaska Anchorage in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game played in Mankato Saturday.

Blueger had a hand in all five goals as the Mavericks jumped out to 5-1 first-period lead.  The Riga, Latvia native assisted on a Bryce Gervais goal just 17 seconds into the period to get things rolling.  He then assisted on Zeb Knutson's backhand marker at 3:48 before scoring his fourth goal of the year with the Mavericks on the power play at 11:42. Another Maverick power play goal at 12:26 from Gervais made it a 4-0 lead and then C.J. Franklin registered his first career shorthanded goal at 15:08 before UAA got one back at 18:32 on a goal from Blake Tatchel and the period ended with the Mavericks owning a 5-1 edge.

Defenseman Chris Williams finished off an odd man rush with his first career goal at 13:45 of the second, allowing the Seawolves to pull within three.  Then, at 18:04, Minnesota State freshman forward Max Coatta converted on a juicy rebound for his second goal of the season and the two teams entered the locker rooms at the end of the period with the Mavericks owning a 6-2 advantage.

The two teams skated to a scoreless third period as the Mavericks claimed the two-game home league sweep over the visiting Seawolves.

Minnesota State freshman netminder Jason Pawloski, who started his fifth consecutive game, stopped 24 shots in getting the decision He upped his record to 5-0-2 on the season with the win.

The five points by Blueger is a career high and also marks the first time a player for Minnesota State's NCAA Division I era to have tallied five points in a single period.  The last time a Maverick tallied five points in a game was Nov. 20, 2009 when Jerad Steward accomplished the feat with four goals and an assist vs. Alaska Anchorage.

Gervais, who leads the Mavericks with seven goals on the year, has 58 career goals - good enough to tie for fifth on the school all-time list for the NCAA Division I-era.

The Mavericks converted on two of five power play chances on the night, while the Seawolves, who saw their record fall to 6-6-2 overall and 3-4-1 WCHA, were zero-for-four with the man advantage.

Minnesota State, which stands 8-6-2 overall and owns a 7-1-2 WCHA mark, continues conference play next weekend with a road series at Bowling Green Friday and Saturday.

Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the win.



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