Mankato, Minn. --- #12 Minnesota State scored twice in the third period in distancing itself from Michigan Tech by a 4-2 margin in a battle between two Western Collegiate Hockey Association teams Saturday.
The host Mavericks, who prevailed over the Huskies with a 4-1 victory Friday, upped their record to 16-5-1 on the year with tonight's win.
Sophomore center
Jake Jaremko started things for the Mavericks when his second goal of the season, which came at the 5:34 mark, gave Minnesota State a 1-0 lead. A scant 36 seconds later sophomore winger
Walker Duehr converted on a power play chance for his sixth goal of the year (and third in the last three games) and the Mavericks entered the locker room at the end of the period owning a 2-0 lead.
The visiting Huskies responded by scoring twice in the middle period, getting a power play goal from
Trenton Bliss at 3:39 and an even-strength marker at 12:05 when
Colin Swoyer grabbed a rebound and backhanded a shot past
Dryden McKay on the glove side.
Minnesota State regained the lead at 14:24 of the third period after
Charlie Gerard, who took a pass from defenseman
Ian Scheid, and cashed in on a power play chance with a nice move in front of the net for his seventh goal of the season. Sophomore forward
Dallas Gerads added an empty net goal at 19:46 to complete the scoring in the game. The Blaine, Minn., native has now scored a goal in four consecutive games.
Gerard, who finished with a goal and an assist, now has a team-high game-winning goals this season.
Minnesota State netminder
Dryden McKay had 21 saves in the game and now stands 9-4-1 for the season.
The Mavericks, who were two-for-four in power play chances in the game, outshot the Huskies by a 31-23 margin.
With tonight's win, Minnesota State remains perfect at Verizon Center for the year, with the Mavericks owning an 11-0-0 record in home contests.
Minnesota State continues Western Collegiate Hockey Association action next weekend with a two-game series at Ferris State on the docket.
Associate head coach
Todd Knott commented following the win.
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