Mankato,  Minn.  ---    #19 Minnesota State never trailed in gaining a 2-2 overtime tie with Michigan Tech in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action Friday in Houghton, Mich.

Junior forward Zach Stepan put the Mavericks on the board first at 8:25 of the second period when he collected his own rebound and proceeded to bounce the puck off of Jamie Phillips' skate, the Michigan Tech netminder, from behind the net. The goal is the third of the year for Stepan.  Tech responded at 12:21 on a goal in which Alex Petan tapped the puck past a prone Jason Pawloski on a pass that came from the left side of the rink. Then, at the 16-minute mark of the period, junior forward Jordan Nelson tipped Jon Jutzi's shot from the point past Phillips to give the Mavericks a 2-1 lead. The goal is the first of the year for Nelson.

MTU's Mark Auk beat a screened Pawloski at 10:43 of the third period, and although they traded a couple of good chances in the extra session, the game ended in a 2-2 overtime tie.

Maverick senior forward Jimmy Mullin assisted on both goals and was +2 in the game.

Freshman netminder Jason Pawloski, who started his tenth consecutive game, stopped 27 shots in gaining the decision. Pawloski now owns an 8-1-5 record in his first year of college hockey.

The Mavericks, who have not allowed a power play goal since Nov. 21 in a game vs. Northern Michigan, held the Huskies to a zero-for-three perfomance with the man advantage.  Minnesota State also went zero-for-three in power play chances in the contest.

Minnesota State, which stands 11-7-5 overall and owns a 10-2-5 WCHA mark, and Michigan Tech (12-7-4 overall, 9-6-2 WCHA) play again Saturday in Houghton to close out the two-game league series.

Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the game.