Mankato, Minn. ---  Minnesota State jumped out to a 3-0 first-period lead and never trailed in skating past Mount Royal University (Calgary, Alta.) in exhibition men's college hockey action Saturday in Mankato.

The tenth-rated Mavericks overwhelmed the visiting Cougars by a 7-3 margin in the unofficial opening to the 2018-19 campaign.

Sophomore forward Jared Spooner got things going early in the contest, firing a shot past MRU netminder Wyatt Hoflin just 15 seconds into the opening stanza.  Then, 41 seconds later, Josh French tipped Jack McNeely's shot past Hoflin in making it a 2-0 lead.  Sophomore center Jake Jaremko, last year's Western Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Year, tapped his own rebound in at 19:08.

Mount Royal cut into the lead after Ryley Lindgren scored on a partial breakaway, but Minnesota State outshot the Cougars 17-4 in the second period and goals from Marc Michaelis and Reggie Lutz gave the Mavericks a commanding 5-1 edge after 40 minutes of action.

It became a 5-2 contest 30 seconds into the third period after Mount Royal forward Jesse Lees beat Jacob Berger from in front of the net. A power play goal by freshman forward Julian Napravnik at 3:34 make it 6-2 Minnesota State. At 5:40, senior forward Ryan Schwalbe collected his own rebound before pushing the puck past Hoflin. MRU's Mitch Lipon closed out the scoring in the game with when he scored at the 12:59 mark.

Jaremko finished with a goal and two assists, Michaelis had a goal and an assist and junior defenseman Ian Scheid and junior forward Parker Tuomie both finished with two helpers to pace the Mavericks offensively.

Three Maverick netminders, Dryden McKay, Mathias Israelsson and Jacob Berger combined to make 14 stops in the win.

The Mavericks, who are entering their 50^th season this year, entertain #8 Boston University next Friday and Saturday in a pair on nonconference games.
 
Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the game.