Big Rapids, Mich. --- Third-ranked Minnesota State got a pair of power play markers from senior winger Charlie Gerard in claiming a 5-1 win at Ferris State in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game played in Big Rapids, Mich., Saturday.

The Mavericks scored the game's first goal for the 21^st time this year when Charlie Gerard scored a power play goal by cashing in on a rebound chance at 18:12 of the opening period.  Freshman forward Lucas Sowder converted on a nice feed from Marc Michaelis to score on a backhander at 14:42 and Minnesota State, which outshot Ferris State by 16-5 margin in the first period, entered the locker room after 20 minutes of action owning a 2-0 lead.

Gerard got his second power play goal of the game after taking a nice cross-ice pass from Michaelis at 14:53 of the second period to make it a 3-0 lead.  The Bulldogs got their first goal of the weekend at 18:50 on a power play goal from Cam Clarke, but the Mavericks regained their three-goal margin a short time later when junior defenseman Jack McNeely's shot from 45 feet out beat Ferris State netminder Carter McPhail at 19:11.

Junior winger Reggie Lutz ripped a shot from the right circle that found the back of the net for a power play goal at 6:41 of the final period. The goal is a career-high ninth of the season for Lutz and rounded out the scoring in the game.

The Mavericks, who have won 15 of their last 17 games, converted on three of seven power play chances while limiting the Bulldogs to a one-for-four performance in power play chances in the game.

Sophomore netminder Dryden McKay was credited with 25 saves in the contest and now stands 19-2-1 on the season.

The Mavericks, now 20-3-1 overall and 14-2-0 WCHA continues WCHA road action next weekend with a two-game set at Bowling Green set for Friday and Saturday.

Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the game.