Mankato, Minn. --- #2/3 Minnesota State earned a 2-1 win over #20 Lake Superior State in game one of a best-of-three Western Collegiate Hockey Association second round series Friday at Verizon Center.
 
Minnesota State moves to 30-7-2 on the season with tonight's win with the 30 victories tying the school record for wins in a season. The previous team to have 30 wins was the squad from the 1979-80 season when the Mavericks went on to win an NCAA Division II National Championship.
 
All three goals of the game were scored came within the first eight minutes of the opening period. The Lakers took a 1-0 lead 1:37 into the period when Minnesota State was caught on a line change and senior captain Diego Cuglietta converted on the partial breakaway, beating Dryden McKay with a laser high on the glove side. The Mavericks answered after junior winger Charlie Gerard received a pass in the neutral zone from Parker Tuomie, skated past two Laker skaters and flipped the puck up over the glove of senior netminder Nick Kossoff after going forehand backhand. Gerard's 11th goal of the season came at the 6:18 mark and less than a minute later, sophomore forward Walker Duehr gave Minnesota State a 2-1 lead. Duehr's 10th goal of the season came after junior center Josh French forced a turnover in the offensive zone and sent a pass from below the goal line to Duehr, who one-timed a shot past Kossoff.
 
Both goaltenders played lights out the rest of the game as McKay stopped the last 20 LSSU shots. McKay's win ups his record to 22-6-2 on the season. Kossoff ended the night allowing two goals and collecting 29 saves.
 
The Mavericks ended the game perfect on the penalty kill as they did not allow a power play goal after committing five penalties. Minnesota State also went zero-for-two on the power play.
 
Minnesota State led in shots on goal 31-21 and outshot Lake Superior State in every period.

The Mavericks, who are 19-1-0 in home games this season, will look to close out the series tomorrow at Verizon Center, beginning at 7:07 p.m.
 
Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the game.