Mankato, Minn.  --- 19^th-rated Minnesota State got 25 saves from senior netminder Cole Huggins in earning a 4-0 win over visiting #17 Michigan Tech Saturday in Mankato.

With the win the Mavericks claim a two-game Western Collegiate Hockey Association series victory and stand 2-0-0 for 2016-17.

The Mavericks took an early 1-0 lead at the 10:32 mark of the first period after junior forward Zeb Knutson received a great pass from senior Michael Huntebrinker and went in all alone and beat Tech netminder Devin Kero. The goal is Knutson's third goal in two games. Sophomore blueliner Daniel Brickley went top shelf for a power play marker at 14:47 of the first. Freshman forward Marc Michaelis got his first career goal when he capitalized on a power play chance from right in front of the net on a nice set-up from C.J. Franklin at 17:47 and Minnesota State entered the locker room at the end of the period owning a 3-0 lead.

After a scoreless second period, Minnesota State extended its lead with a power play goalwhen Franklin redirected Brickley's shot from the point past Kero at 13:28 of the third to round out the scoring in the game.
Michaelis and Brickley both finished with a goal and two assists in the game and Franklin enjoyed a two-point night with a goal and an assist.

Maverick senior netminder Cole Huggins stopped all 25 shots he faced in recording the win and now has 40 career victories in his four seasons with the Mavericks.  The shut-out is the 11^th of his career and makes him Minnesota State's all-time shut-out leader. Michigan Tech's Devin Kero, who had 32 saves. falls to 0-2-0 for the year. Minnesota State went three-for-ten in power play chances in the game.

The game was played in front of 4,596 fans at Verizon Wireless Center in downtown Mankato.  The Mavericks are back home next weekend with a two-game nonconference set with St. Cloud State scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the game.