Minneapolis, Minn.  ---  Minnesota State fell behind early and trailed Minnesota the entire game, eventually falling to the second-ranked Gophers 4-1 at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis.

The game was the season-opener for the Mavericks, who now stand 0-1-0 for the year. Minnesota upped its record to 3-0-0 with tonight's win.

The visiting Mavericks had won the four previous meetings with Minnesota,  but freshman forward Jimmy Snuggerud found the back of the net three times in powering the Gophers to the win Friday.

The first period ended with the Gophers owning a 1-0 lead after the Gophers capitalized on a scramble in front of the Minnesota State net. After a Gophers' shot was blocked, Snuggerud found a loose puck in the crease before stuffing it into the net at 18:21.  The Mavericks did outshoot the Gophers 7-6 in the period.

It became a 2-0 Minnesota lead at 5:30 of the second period when Snuggerud tallied his second of the game with a wrister from the high slot.  

The Mavericks pulled within one on a goal from Jake Livingstone at 4:30 of the third period. The junior defenseman got his first goal of the season by lifting the puck over Justen Close's left shoulder with assists credited to David Silye and Akito Hirose. Snuggerud scored his third of the game, one-timing a shot from the top of the left circle, at 10:46 of the third period in making it a 3-1 game. An empty net goal by Connor Kurth closed out the scoring in the contest.

Minnesota owned a 25-19 advantage in shots on goal in the contest. Maverick sophomore netminder Keenan Rancier, who was making his second career start in the game, finished with 21 stops.

The Mavericks and the Gophers face-off again Saturday night with a 6:07 start slated for May Clinic Health System in downtown Mankato.

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