Bowling Green, Ohio --- #1 Minnesota State continued to roll, extending its winning streak to seven games with a 5-0 Central Collegiate Hockey Association road win at Bowling Green Saturday night.
The Mavericks, who have won 16 times in their last 17 outings, scored three times in the second period to grab control of the game.
The game stood tied 0-0 after the opening period, but a power play goal by junior forward
Ryan Sandelin, which came on a one-timer from the left circle at 1:29 of the second period got things going. Sandelin scored again a short time later, taking a pass from
Reggie Lutz and rifling shot from the middle of the circles past
Christian Stoever at 3:55 for his team-high 19
th goal of the year. Senior winger
Julian Napravnik tallied on a nifty play down low by tucking the puck into the net on the short side at 16:33. The goal is the 14
th of the year by Napravnik and the Mavericks entered the locker room at the end of the second period owning a 3-0 lead.
Lutz scored on a wraparound play at 14:56 of the third period for his 10
th goal of the year and junior center
Brendan Furry tallied a power play marker at 16:05 when he cranked a shot that slid between Stoever's pads in making it 5-0.
Sandelin finished the night with three points on two goals and an assist. Lutz had a goal and two assists, while junior forward
Sam Morton chipped in with three assists. (note: scoring on last goal was changed postgame to Furry from Napravnik and Carroll).
Minnesota State senior goaltender
Dryden McKay had 19 saves in picking up his ninth shutout of the year. McKay, who stands 27-4-0 on the year with tonight's win, extended his NCAA men's hockey career shutouts record to 33. McKay's 102 career victories rank third all-time in NCAA Division I men's hockey in wins. Only
Marty Turco (Michigan 1995-98, 127 wins) and
Steve Shields (Michigan, 1991-94, 111 wins) rank ahead of the Downers Grove, Ill., native.
The Mavericks (27-5-0 overall, 19-3-0 CCHA) are off next weekend before resuming play with a home series versus Bemidji State Feb. 18-19.
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