Mankato, Minn.  ---  #2 Minnesota State scored three times in the third period in gaining a 4-1 road conference win at Alabama Huntsville Saturday.

Following a scoreless opening period in which the Mavericks outshot the Chargers 14-5, Minnesota State took a 1-0 lead when senior winger Charlie Gerard scored on a backhander at 17:17 of the middle period.  The goal was the third of the weekend for Gerard.

The Chargers responded at 2:27 of the third on a goal from Sean Rappleyea to tie the game, but three straight goals from the Mavericks put the game out of reach.

Senior forward Reggie Lutz batted the puck into the net past Mark Sinclair at 11:29 as the Mavericks regained the lead and a short time later, at 12:13, freshman center Nathan Smith buried a pass from Lucas Sowder, putting Minnesota State up 3-1. Senior winger Parker Tuomie tallied an empty netter for his second goal of the season at 19:23 to close out the scoring in the contest.

Freshman netminder Jaxson Stauber, who was making his first career start for Minnesota State, stopped 14 of 15 shots and now owns a 1-0-0 record on the season.

The goal for Lutz, his second of the year, is his sixth career game-winning goal

Now 5-0-1 on the year, the Mavericks outshot the Chargers 38-15 in the game.

Minnesota State continues WCHA action next weekend with Bowling Green venturing to the Key City for games Friday and Saturday.

Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the game.



Reggie Lutz commented following the game.





-  30    -