Mankato, Minn.  --- #15th-rated Minnesota State got a pair of goals from junior forward Brad McClure in a 4-1 victory over 7th-rated Minnesota in a nonconference men's hockey contest played in Mankato Friday evening. 

McClure got the game's first goal when he walked out from the corner before wristing a shot past Gopher goaltender Eric Schierhorn at 12:26 of the first period. Mavericks captain C.J. Franklin made it a 2-0 lead when he deflected a shot from Ian Scheid past Schierhorn at 16:31.

Tommy Novak brought the Gophers within when he tallied a power play goal at 2:16 of the second period.  Freshman forward Parker Tuomie got one back at 15:04 with a shot from the point that found its way to the back of the net with the Mavericks on the power play. Just over two minutes later, McClure recorded his second goal of the contest (and team-high seventh of the year) pounced on a rebound and put the puck into the net on the stickside at 17:47 to send the Mavericks into the second intermission with a 4-1 advantage.  Both teams were held scoreless in the third period.

Minnesota State, which was two-for-four on the power play, put 37 shots on goal in the contest. The Gophers were one-for-five with the man advantage.

Tuomie, who also assisted on Franklin's goal and McClure's second goal, had his first career three-point night. Franklin's goal is his fourth of the year and is his sixth career game-winning goal. The Mavericks have now won four of the last five contests vs. Minnesota.

Maverick netminder Jason Pawloski, who made 25 stops, now stands 2-1-1 on the year.

The Mavericks are 8-4-1 on the season with tonight's win. Minnesota falls to 4-3-2 with tonight's result.  A crowd of 5,048 (the 17th-largest crowd ever at Verizon Center for a Minnesota State men's hockey game) was on hand at the game.

The two teams complete the two-game series when they square-off in Minneapolis Saturday. An 8:00 p.m. face-off is scheduled at Mariucci Arena.

Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the game.

 
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