MANKATO, Minn. – Michael Hrabal made 32 saves and Massachusetts blocked 28 shot attempts to outlast No. 19 Minnesota State 1-0 Saturday and sweep the Mavericks at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center in front of 4,533 fans.
 
At the 11:22 mark of the second period, the only goal of the game was scored. Aydar Suniev rifled a one-time slapshot from the right point off a soft pass from Aaron Bohlinger and Lucas Mercuri collected the second assist on the play.
 
The Mavericks generated numerous opportunities throughout the evening and began the game with a pair of power plays after minor penalties for too many players on the ice and slashing. Sam Morton tried a backdoor wraparound that came within inches of the goal line. Later, Elliott McDermott grazed the left post for UMass and the Mavericks took a 10-7 edge in shots on goal into the first intermission
 
A short time after Suniev's goal, Liam Gorman was assessed a major penalty for contact to the head on an open ice check. Adam Eisele recorded the Mavericks' only shot on the ensuing power play and the Mavericks finished the night 0-for-8 with the man advantage.
 
With 53.3 seconds remaining in the third period, Ryan Ufko went to the penalty box for tripping, giving Minnesota State its final chance. Following an MSU timeout, the 6-foot-7-inch Hrabal slid across the crease for a pad stop on Adam Eisele and surrendered no rebound.
 
"The outcome wasn't what we want, but the brand of hockey we played was better than we've played so far," said head coach Luke Strand. "We've got to clean up our specials. Those opportunities are a privilege so we have to take advantage when we have them. As far as a connected game and a suffocating style, that's how we want to play. I thought Hrabel played very well. They played a good team-defended game. We've got to find ways to break walls and be consistent with that part."
 
Morton led the Mavericks with six shots on goal while defenseman Samuli Niinisaari blocked eight shots for the Minutemen.
 
"Of course, we are trying to get shots through," Sam Morton said. "I think it's a learning process. Yes, it's frustrating in the moment and we are saying let's get it around bodies and get it to the net, but it's something that we have to reflect on and actively work on in practice. As far as in the moment though, just keep doing what we are doing. We ended with 32 shots. If we could get ten more on net I think we'd be able to pop one of those in."  
 
Minnesota State held a 32-15 advantage in shots, including 15 in the final frame, and won 28 of 53 faceoffs (34-percent). UMass finished 1-for-4 on the power play.
 
Massachusetts evened up the all-time series against MSU 2-2 on Saturday. Minnesota State (2-2-0) heads to North Dakota (3-1-0) next weekend for a two-game series against the Fighting Hawks (3-1-0).
 
The Minutemen (4-1-0) return to the East Coast for a series with No. 5 Boston University next week.