St. Paul, Minn. --- Including scoring the game-winning goal, senior forward Teddy Blueger had a hand in all three goals, in helping lift #19 Minnesota State to a 3-2 victory over #20 Minnesota in consolation game action of the third annual North Star College Cup in St. Paul Sunday.

Blueger tallied the game's first goal at 4:04 of the opening period after he took a pass from Sean Flanagan while standing by the side of the Minnesota net and had his backhander tipped by a Gopher defenseman past Eric Schierhorn in giving the Mavericks the 1-0 lead. The Gophers responded at 14:48 with a power play marker by Justin Kloos and the two teams stood tied at 1-1 at the end of the first 20 minutes of action.

Sophomore forward C.J. Franklin maintained his torrid pace when he connected with the Mavericks on a five-on-three power play at 17:23 of the second. Franklin's laser from the right circle, which beat Schierhorn on the far side, extended his point-scoring streak to four games during which he's racked up five goals and four assists for nine points.

The Gophers capitalized on a five-on-three power play opportunity of their own at 5:27 of the third period on Connor Reilly's goal, but Minnesota State regained the lead at 7:29 of the third on Blueger's second goal of the game. The Riga, Latvia native walked in from the blue line and snapped a shot past Schierhorn on the stick side. The goal turned out to be the 11^th game-winning goal of Blueger's four-year college career. Blueger, who also drew an assist onFranklin's goal and has 3-3--6 in the last four games, stands atop the Minnesota State scoring charts with 8 goals and 16 assists for 24 points on the year.

The Mavericks finished the game with a two-for-five performance with the man advantage. The Gophers converted on two-of-six chances on the power play in the game.

Senior Cole Huggins, who stopped 21 shots, owns a 6-7-0 record with this afternoon's decision. The Mavericks outshot the Gophers by a 26-23 margin in the game.

Minnesota State, which stands 14-9-5 overall, returns home next weekend in resuming Western Collegiate Hockey Association action with a pair of league games with Bowling Green Friday and Saturday.

Head coach MikeHastings commentefollowingthe win.



- 30 -