Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State skated to a 5-3 victory over Northern Michigan in Western Collegiate Hockey Association action in Mankato Friday.
Junior forward
Zeb Knutson continued his offensive surge when he wristed a shot from the slot that beat NMU netminder
Atte Tolvanen at 3:26 of the first period. The goal by Knutson, his 11
th of the year, ended a shutout streak by Tolvanen at 339:05 minutes, which ranks second all-time in NCAA men's hockey history. Knutson now has six goals in the last ten games. The Wildcats responded at 8:46 when a shot from
Zach Diamantoni took a bounce off of a leg before rising past
Aaron Nelson into the Maverick net. Freshman winger Parker Tuomie's shot from the top of the right circle found its way past Tolvanen at 14:26 to give Minnesota State 2-1 edge. Sophomore forward
Max Coatta settled a bouncing puck in the slot before wiring home his fourth goal of the season at 17:10 and the Mavericks owned a 3-1 advantage after the first 20 minutes of action.
It became a 3-2 Minnesota State lead at 12:07 of the second on
Dominik Shine's deflection on shot from
Jordan Klimek that leaked through Nelson's pads. The Mavericks regained their 4-2 lead at 13:05 after an offensive zone win by
Josh French, freshman winger
Nick Rivera batted the puck into the net for his fifth goal of the year and the first shorthanded goal of his career.
Brad McClure's power play marker at 1:27 of the third, which is his team-best 14
th of the year and came on a shot from the left circle along the ice, gave the Mavericks a 5-2 lead. The final goal of the contest, which was scored at 17:45, came on a backhander by
Zach Diamontoni.
Minnesota State, which was one-for-three on the power play, put 37 shots on goal in the contest. The Wildcats were zero-for-five with the man advantage.
Aaron Nelson was credited with 19 saves in the game in upping his record to 5-2-1 for the season.
The Mavericks are 17-10-4 overall (13-8-4 WCHA) on the season.
The two teams close out the WCHA series Saturday night with a 7:07 p.m. face-off scheduled for Verizon Center.
Head coach
Mike Hastings commented following the game.
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