Mankato, Minn.  --- 15^th-rated Minnesota State began its 2017-18 campaign with a 4-0 loss at the hands of no. 6 St. Cloud State in nonconference men's hockey action Saturday in Mankato.

The visiting Huskies took a 1-0 lead at 11:46 of the opening period with the teams playing with four skaters a piece when fefenseman Jimmy Schuldt lifted a shot from the high slot that beat Maverick junior netminder Jason Pawloski over the left shoulder.

It became a 2-0 SCSU advantage at 3:05 of the second period on another shot from the slot, this one off of the stick of another Husky defenseman, Jon Lizotte.

Jacob Benson finished off a pass from Ryan Poehling at 11:08 of the third period in making it a 3-0 SCSU lead and Jack Poehling's empty net tally at 17:55 closed out the scoring in the contest.
Minnesota State, which was zero-for-one on the power play, put 42 shots on goal in the contest, but could not solve Jeff Smith, with the SCSU netminder named the game's First Star.  The last time Minnesota State was shutout at home prior to tonight was March 12, 2016 when Lake Superior State's Gordon Defiel turned aside 57 shots in a Laker 2-0 victory over the Mavericks in a WCHA first-round play-off game.

Pawloski was credited with 22 saves in the game for the Mavericks.

The Huskies were zero-for-one with the man advantage.

The Mavericks (0-1-0) continue nonconference action next weekend with a road series at second-rated Boston University.

Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the game.





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