ST. CLOUD, Minn. -- Minnesota State dropped the opening game of a weekend series at St. Cloud State, 3-2, in overtime at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center, Friday night.
The Mavericks have now dropped five straight and stand 5-6 overall with a 1-6 mark in WCHA action. The Huskies are now 3-5-1 overall with a 1-5-1 record in WCHA contests.
After a scoreless first period that saw MSU carry a 12-10 advantage in shots into the break, senior defenseman Jessica Kondas scored the game's first goal 37 seconds into the middle period on a shot from the point that made its way through screens which froze SCSU netminder Sanni Ahola. SCSU wasted no time answering, scoring two minutes later at 2:57 to tie the game with an unassisted goal from Mackenzie Bourgerie. After 40 minutes of play, the Mavericks and Huskies were tied 1-1 with MSU grasping a 25-17 lead in shots on goal.
In the third period, both sides had a goal on the man advantage. First, sophomore Madison Mashuga gave the Mavericks a 2-1 lead at 3:56 with her second goal of the season. Again, the Huskies wasted little time in order to tie the game when Emma Gentry scored at 7:54 to even the score at 2-2, which stood until the end of regulation.
In overtime, the Huskies scored to take their first lead of the evening with a game-winning goal off Bourgerie's stick which was her second goal of the night. SCSU won the game, 3-2, 1:09 into the extra period.
In net for the Mavericks, junior goaltender Calla Frank, now 4-6 this season, stopped 26 of the 29 shots she faced. On the other end, Ahola improved her record to 2-4 on the season while making 36 saves on 38 shots.
The Mavericks outshot the Huskies 38-29. Each side had one goal on the power play. MSU finished game one of the series one-for-two with the man advantage while SCSU was perfect with one chance on the power play.
The Mavericks and Huskies rematch for the series finale Saturday at 3:01 p.m. back at Herb Brooks National Hockey Center.
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