Bemidji, Minn.  --- Sophomore goaltender Jason Pawloski stopped 27 shots in backstopping Minnesota State to a 2-1 win at Bemidji State Saturday.

Pawloski, whose last start came in a 5-4 win at Princeton Dec. 17, gave up a five-on-three power play goal in the firt period, but held the Beavers scoreless the rest of the way in picking up his fifth win of the season.

The Mavericks found themselves in penalty trouble midway through the first period with a holding minor immediately followed up by a five-minute major penalty and the host Beavers took advantage of the five-on-three power play opportunity with Gerry Fitzgerald scoring on a slap shot that beat Pawloski over his shoulder at 13:23. Pawloski held the Beaver's to a 1-0 lead with a big breakaway stop with just over a minute left in the period and totaled 11 saves through the first 20 minutes of play.

Halfway through the second period the Beavers committed a tripping penalty which was followed up a few seconds later by another Bemidji State slashing minor that put the Mavericks on a five-on-three power play Junior forward Zeb Knutson cashed in early on the two-man advantage at 13:06 with a one-timer on the left side that beat BSU netminder Jesse Wilkins before he could get across to the back post. Knutson's thirteenth of the season tied the game at 1-1 and just over a minute later at 14:47 senior forward Zach Stepan wrapped the puck around from the back of the net and put the puck between Wilkins' legs to give Minnesota State the lead. Pawloski closed out the period with another outstanding last minute sprawling glove save that kept the Mavericks ahead by a score of 2-1.

The third period saw the Mavericks kill off Bemidji State's third and fourth power play chances at the start and later end of the period and Pawloski shut the door with 11 saves to close out the game.

0-Minnesota State (19-11-4, 15-8-4-0 WCHA) scored one goal on five power play attempts, while Bemidji State (19-13-3, 19-6-2-2 WCHA) also scored one goal on the power play over four opportunities.

The Mavericks host Alaska in the first round of the WCHA playoffs next weekend.

Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the win.


                                                     - 30 -