TROY, N.Y. – Steven Bellini threw a long-range wrister toward the net and scored the game-winning goal as Minnesota State topped Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 4-2 Saturday night to even the weekend series in non-conference play at Houston Fieldhouse.
 
The Mavericks improved to .500 overall at 8-8-2 (5-4-1 CCHA) as they head into the holiday break next week. RPI fell to 3-11-1 (2-4-0 ECAC) with Canisius College next on the calendar Dec. 29-30.

"The guys played a very team-oriented game," said Maverick head coach Luke Strand. "I thought we were able to utilize our entire bench giving us stability up and down the lineup."
 
Evan Murr helped the Mavericks take advantage of their first power play of the evening when he pounded home a shot from the middle of the offensive zone 5:50 into the opening period.
 
Sam Morton started the play by putting the puck toward goaltender Brett Miller on the right side of the crease. Josh Groll flung it back in front for Murr's fourth goal of the season. The Mavericks carried an 11-8 edge in shots after 20 minutes.
 
Austin Heidemann evened the score 1-1 for RPI 1:18 into the second period when he tipped a shot past Keenan Rancier in the low slot.
 
The Mavericks netted their first even-strength tally of the weekend six minutes later to regain the lead. Josh Groll and Zach Krajnik assisted on Adam Eisele's fifth of the season. Eisele collected a rebound and lifted it over Miller to extend his current point streak to five games.
 
RPI clawed back on the power play. Friday night's game-winner came from Jakob Lee and Lee added his second goal of the series at 17:49 for a 2-2 score.
 
Bellini narrowly held the offensive zone with an off-balance shot which fooled Miller 1:58 into the third period. The puck trickled under Miller's left pad for Bellini's third goal of the year, second on the weekend.
 
With an empty net for RPI and six skaters on the ice, the Mavericks initially struggled to clear the puck to neutral ice. Following a multitude of scrambles in front of Rancier, Sam Morton curled it in from the MSU zone for a 4-2 edge with just over a minute remaining.
 
Morton (1-1—2) and Groll (0-2—2) ended with multi-point nights. The Mavericks outshot the Engineers 40-23 (12-9 in the third period) as Rancier improved to 2-2 in net. MSU also dominated the faceoff circle 35-21 and converted 1-3 power plays. RPI won Friday night's contest 4-3 in overtime.

"I was proud of the guys' efforts leading into break," Strand said. "We plan on playing our best hockey down the back stretch of the season."
 
Minnesota State (8-8-2, 5-4-1) is off until Jan 5-6, when it takes on Augustana in a non-conference series in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The next home series for the Mavericks is Jan. 12-13 against Ferris State.
 
At this point during the 2022-23 season, the Mavericks were 10-9-1 overall. That team went on to win both MacNaughton and Mason Cup Championships.