Bowling Green, Ohio. --- Third-ranked Minnesota State rallied from a two-goal third-period deficit to claim a 3-2 overtime win at #15 Bowling Green in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game played in Bowling Green, Ohio, Saturday.

The Mavericks had a couple of good scoring chances in the opening period with Jared Spooner and Parker Tuomie both finding themselves stymied by BGSU junior netminder Eric Dop.  Then, just five seconds into a power play, Max Johnson won an offensive zone face-off for the Falcons and Connor Ford ripped one-timer from the slot off a pass from Alex Barber past Dryden McKay for the game's first goal at 17:27 of the first period.

The Falcons outshot the Mavericks by an 11-6 margin in the second period and a goal at 8:10 by Cameron Wright, which came after McKay stopped a shot from Tim Theocharidis, gave Bowling Green a 2-0 lead.

The Mavericks scored twice in the third period to force overtime.  Senior Parker Tuomie rifled a shot from the point that found the back of the net with Minnesota State on the power play at 4:50.  Then at 17:24, sophomore defenseman Andy Carroll directed a shot toward that net that touched by senior center Josh French right before it slid underneath Dop's pads at 17:24 to knot the score at 2-2 and force overtime.

After the Mavericks finished killing off a penalty in the extra session, Minnesota State freshman forward Nathan Smith got the game-winner at 2:41 in overtime after he collected a rebound off a shot from defenseman Jack McNeely.  The goal, the fifth of the year for Smith, is his first career game-winning goal.

The Mavericks, who have now won 17 of their last 19 games, converted on one of four power play chances in the game. Sophomore netminder Dryden McKay was credited with 21 saves in the contest and now stands 21-2-1 on the season with tonight's win.

The Mavericks, now 22-3-1 overall and 16-2-1 WCHA and riding a seven-game winning streak, continue WCHA action next weekend with a home series vs. Bemidji State slated for Friday and Saturday.

Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the win.



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