MANKATO, Minn. – Luciano Wilson notched a pair of goals and No. 12 ranked Minnesota State killed all five penalties to collect a 2-1 victory at home against Lake Superior State Friday night at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. The Mavericks extended their win streak to five and unbeaten streak to ten. Alex Tracy made 19 saves for his 13^th win of the season in goal.
 
The Mavericks (13-4-2, 8-1-2 CCHA) meet the Lakers (8-8-1, 6-3-0) again on Saturday at 6:07 p.m. CT to conclude the series.
 
The teams combined for two shots on goal through the first 11 min. of the first period. Brett Moravec took the puck to the crease for a scoring chance on the Mavericks' first power play, but the teams remained scoreless.
 
Later, Wilson struck with a one-timer in the slot after a feed from Fin Williams along the wall. Wilson's marker at 12:12 was his second goal of the season and Williams collected his first assist of the year.
 
"For us to connect on that goal, it was so special," Wilson said. "He's (Williams) one of the hardest-working guys on the team and he deserves to get rewarded. For a guy I grew up with, played in Penticton with, won a championship; for us to connect on that goal was super surreal. Kudos to him for making a great backhand play."
 
"Really happy for Fin and Luc and Hilly on that play," said head coach Luke Strand. "The second forecheck, stayed on the attack. Can't say enough about Luc's game all night. He played with purpose and a ton of intent. The goals are the gravy. His way of play was what got him in those positions, and it gave us a huge boost tonight."
 
William Ahlrik tied it for the Lakers at 18:15 with a low shot to the far post off the rush. Johnny Druskinis started the play with a rainbow pass through the neutral zone to Ahlrik.
 
The Mavericks led 9-5 in shots on goal after 20 minutes and went on the penalty kill for five minutes following a major penalty and game misconduct against Will Hillman for elbowing with contact to the head.
 
Following a successful kill, Rhett Pitlick one-timed a puck on goal off a 2-on-1 rush but found Rorke Applebee's right pad. The second line of Brett Moravec, Adam Eisele and Brian Carrabes sparked the Mavericks with a strong shift near the end of the second but neither team found the scoresheet in the middle frame.
 
Pitlick fed Kaden Bohlsen in front for a shot near the top of the crease at the six-minute mark of the third, denied by Applebee. Then Wilson crossed the blue line and banked a hard pass off the end boards to himself, then jammed it past Applebee for his second of the game. Luigi Benincasa assisted at 7:21.  
 
"I try that one in practice all the time but Keith Paulson, our assistant coach in the second period said you might as well try it here," said Wilson. "Their D are staying up in the play and it was kind of just a spur-the-moment thing. I threw it off the end wall and was lucky enough to get a grade-A chance there in front of the net and see it go in. Pretty special moment between me and Keith and a goal I'll never forget."
 
The goal wound up as the game-winner. The Mavericks blocked three shots in the final minute with LSSU's net empty, including a pair by defenseman Campbell Cichosz, who labored to the bench. Cichosz finished with a team-high four blocks on the night.
 
Both teams won 29 faceoffs and Eisele led the Mavericks with 13 of 21 wins in the circle. The Mavericks have not allowed three or more goals to an opponent since Nov. 9 and entered the weekend as the top-ranked defensive team in Division I (1.50 goals against). MSU also improved to 8-2-2 at home, 3-0 on the homestand.