Mankato, Minn.  --- Minnesota State scored the first two goals of the game but could not hold on as Northern Michigan claimed a 3-2 overtime win over the Mavericks in Central Collegiate Hockey Association action in Mankato Friday

Now 7-4-0 for the season with tonight's result, Minnesota State is 4-1-0 in CCHA games.

Northern Michigan owned a 10-8 advantage in shots on goal, but an even-strength goal from Will Hillman on a rebound chance at 13:44 gave Minnesota State a 1-0 lead after the first period of action.

Senior forward Lucas Sowder got his stick on a shot from Jake Livingstone and deflected the puck past NMU netminder Beni Halasz at 8:50 of the second to make it a 2-0 Maverick lead. 

The Wildcats then began to fight back, scoring twice before the end of the period. NMU tallied a rebound goal by Artem Shlaine at 17:05 on the power play in making it Minnesota State 2, Northern Michigan 1.  Then a shorthanded marker from A.J. Vanderbeck at 19:07 meant that the score stood tied at 2-2 after 40 minutes of play.

The two teams battled through a scoreless third frame and Vanderbeck came out of the box after serving a penalty and fired a shot that found the back of the net to end the game at 3:20 of the overtime period.

The Mavericks gave up a season-high 35 shots in the game and Minnesota State goaltender Kennan Rancier, who made 32 saves, now stands 3-3-0 on the year.

The loss to the Wildcats is the first home regular-season loss for the Mavericks since Oct. 9, 2021 (3-1 to St. Cloud State).

The two teams play again Saturday with a 6:07 p.m. faceoff scheduled for Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.

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