Mankato, Minn. --- Third-ranked Minnesota State have now won their last eight games after skating to a 3-2 win over Bemidji State in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association game played in Mankato, Friday.

Bemidji State got the game's first goal when Owen Sillinger redirected a slap/pass from Nick Cardelli past Dryden McKay at 4:49 of the opening period. The host Mavericks owned a 5-3 advantage in terms of shots on goal in the first 20 minutes of action, but found themselves trailing 1-0.

Jumping up into the play, sophomore defenseman Andy Carroll tipped a pass from Ryan Sandelin past Zach Dricoll at 9:57 of the second for his first goal of the season.  Then freshman center Nathan Smith ripped a shot from the high slot that beat Driscoll gloveside just after a Maverick power play had expired at 16:55 to give Minnesota State a 2-1 lead and Minnesota State found itself owning a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes of action.

It became a 3-1 Minnesota State lead at 5:10 of the third period after junior forward Dallas Gerads found a juicy rebound and cashed in for his third goal of the season. The Beavers got within one when defenseman Brad Johnson wired a one-timer from the point that found the back of the net at 6:26, but that was as close as Bemidji State could muster with the host Mavericks claiming a 3-2 win over one of their most-played rivals.

Parker Tuomie, who drew an assist on Nathan Smith's goal, extended his point-scoring streak to four games. Gerad's goal tonight is the seventh game-winning tally of his career.

Sophomore netminder Dryden McKay was credited with 18 saves in the contest and now stands 22-2-1 on the season with tonight's win.

The Mavericks, now 23-3-1 overall and 17-2-1 WCHA, close out the two-game league series with the Beavers Saturday with a 6;07 p.m. face-off scheduled for Mayor Health System Event Center.

- 30 -