HOUGHTON, Mich. – Luigi Benincasa scored twice and Minnesota State scored four unanswered third-period goals to win 5-2 over Michigan Tech Friday night at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena in CCHA men's hockey.
 
Minnesota State (9-4-2, 4-1-2 CCHA) plays at Michigan Tech (6-3-0, 4-1-0) in the final game of the weekend series Saturday at 5:07 p.m. CT.
 
"I'm happy for the guys' response to a team challenge," reflected head coach Luke Strand. "With guys returning to the lineup tonight, it was important to play a connected game and get back on track."
 
Kaden Bohlsen scored 7:53 into the first period for the Mavericks in his return. Rhett Pitlick located a loose puck in front of the crease and backhanded a pass into the high slot for Bohlsen, whose one-timer found the twine.
 
Jack Works fired a shot on a partial breakaway moments later but Alex Tracy denied his try. Rylan Brown tied the game 1-1 on the power play at 16:27 for the Huskies, assisted by Max Koskipirtti and Marcus Pedersen.
 
Then MTU's Tom Leppa backhanded a shot on the back doorstep with two seconds remaining in the period for a 2-1 edge. The teams went to the locker team tied 10-10 in shots on goal.
 
Benincasa's first tally was MSU's first shorthanded goal of the season. Josh Groll started the play with a wrap-around attempt that deflected off a Husky and found Benincasa's stick.
 
Benincasa scored on the power play three minutes later when he put away a rebound from Luc Wilson's initial shot at the point. Evan Murr also assisted as the Mavericks took the lead 3-2.
 
Pitlick added insurance with an empty net goal at 18:25 and Jordan Power scored at 19:55 with assists from Ashton and Benincasa.
 
Benincasa notched his first multi-point game in the Purple and Gold, with two goals and one assist. Pitlick also finished with two points (one goal, one assist).
 
Tracy made 21 saves in goal for MSU and Derek Mullahy finished with 22 stops for MTU. The Mavericks went 1-3 on the power play and 4-5 on the penalty kill.
 
Minnesota State extended its unbeaten streak to six games (4-0-2 since Nov. 2).