Mankato, Minn. --- #1 Minnesota State rolled to an 8-1 win over Northern Michigan in Central Collegiate Hockey Association semifinal action Saturday.
The Mavericks, who have won 14 games in a row and 23 of their last 24, advance to the CCHA Championship game with tonight's win.
MSU, which has scored 16 goals in its last two games, scored twice in the opening period and never trailed in the game.
Sophomore forward
Connor Gregga got his fifth goal of the year when he showed great patience as he skated across the slot past a sliding Northern Michigan defender before ripping a shot past
Charlie Glockner at 13:43 of the opening period for the game's first goal. The Mavericks scored again a short time later with sophomore center
David Silye finding the back of the net on a shot high on the stickside at 14:06.The Mavericks held a 13-6 advantage at the end of the first 20 minutes of action.
The Mavericks continued their onslaught in the second frame, outscoring the visiting Wildcats 4-1 to take a commanding 6-1 lead.
Junior center
Nathan Smith connected for his 18
th goal of the year when he wired a shot high on the shortside with the Mavericks on the power play at 5:08 of the second. Northern Michigan cashed in on a power play chance of their own on an
Alex Frye tally at 9:38. Maverick junior forward
Ryan Sandelin got his team-high 21
st goal of the season, capitalizing on a rebound opportunity at 10:53. Defenseman
Andy Carroll struck for his third goal of the season on a shot from the top of the slot at 13:53 and freshman forward
Will Hillman picked up his first career marker at 14:26.
The Mavericks scored twice on the power play in the third period with
Julian Napravnik, who also registered two assists in the game, at 12:14 and
Wyatt Amodt at 16:46 to close out the scoring in the game.
Senior netminder
Dryden McKay finished with 20 saves and stands 34-4-0 on the season with the win. His 34 victories move him into a tie for first on the NCAA Division I men's hockey single-season list and now shares the record with
Marty Turco (Michigan, 1995-96) and
Robb Stauber (Minnesota in 1987-88).
The victory ups the Mavericks' record to 34-5-0 for the season.
Minnesota State will play for the CCHA championship next Saturday in Mankato against Bemidji State.
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