MANKATO, Minn. – Ralfs Bergmanis scored his first goal as a Maverick and added an assist as No. 16 Minnesota State closed out Northern Michigan 3-0 Friday night at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.  
 
Bergmanis (Jr., Liepaja, Latvia) carried the puck through the neutral zone and dropped it off for Hillman, who skated down to the left dot and ripped a shot to the far-side top corner, giving Minnesota State a 1-0 lead at 8:53 of the first period. It was Hillman's first goal of the season. Brian Carrabes also assisted.
 
Later Bergmanis took a shot from the left point through traffic that found its way in. The junior defenseman tallied his first points in 12 games in the Purple and Gold.
 
MSU junior goaltender Alex Tracy made 21 saves to collect his third shutout of the season (sixth career). Ryan Ouellette stopped 20 of 22 shots for the Wildcats. Jakob Stender lifted the puck into an empty net for his first career goal at 19:42 in the third period.
 
Both teams blocked 16 shots, including four by Mason Wheeler and NMU led 23-19 in the faceoff circle. The Mavericks improved to 6-1-1 over their last eight games and are 5-2-1 at home.
 
Minnesota State (8-4-1, 3-1-1 CCHA) host Northern Michigan (1-10-0, 0-4-0 CCHA) again Saturday night to conclude the CCHA series.

Of Note: Forward Zach Krajnik (Eagle River, Alaska) skated in his 100th game in a Maverick uniform on Friday. Forward Fin Williams (North Vancouver, British Columbia) appeared in his first game at Minnesota State.