Mankato, Minn. ---   #2-ranked Minnesota State got three points from junior center Nathan Smith en route to a 3-1 win over Michigan Tech Saturday in Central Collegiate Hockey Association action in Mankato. 
 
Smith, who also had an overtime game-winning goal Friday, scored his 11^th goal of the season tonight and assisted on Minnesota State's two other goals in Saturday's win.
 
Junior winger Cade Borchardt, positioned in front of the crease, cashed in on a power play chance by one-timing a shot off a pass from Smith at 6:39 of the opening period and the Mavericks entered the locker room at the end of 20 minutes of action owning a 1-0 lead.

Sophomore defenseman Jake Livingstone converted on a chance from right in front of the net after receiving a backhand pass from Smith from below the goal line and at 3:15 of the second period, Minnesota State held a 2-0 lead.  Tech cut into the lead on a power play goal from Justin Misiak at 16:16 and at the end of two periods Minnesota State led 2-1.
 
A hard-fought third period, in which the visiting Huskies outshot the Mavericks by a nine-to-six margin, included an empty-net tally from Smith with 9.4 seconds left.
 
Senior forward Julian Napravnik had two assists in the win and Livingstone, who assisted on Smith's insurance goal, also finished with a two-point game.
 
Senior netminder Dryden McKay, who stopped 19 shots in the victory, now stands 14-3-0 for 2021-22. 

The Mavericks (14-4-0, 10-2-0 CCHA) continues CCHA action next weekend with a road series at Bemidji State scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

- 30 -