MANKATO, Minn. – Using an early lead and strong defense late, Minnesota State men's hockey downed Bowling Green 4-1 Friday night at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.
 
The Mavericks extended their unbeaten streak to eight games and senior right wing Brian Carrabes tallied two points, including the eventual game-winning goal.
 
The Mavericks (11-4-2, 6-1-2 CCHA) climbed to first place in the CCHA standings with a loss by Lake Superior State to Bemidji State. The Mavericks and Falcons (5-6-2, 2-3-2) meet again Saturday night at 6:07 p.m. in Mankato.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Taking advantage of a fallen defender on a 3-on-1 through the neutral zone, Carrabes delayed, then slid a pass across for Adam Eisele, who tapped in his sixth goal of the year for a 1-0 lead. Luke Ashton added his fifth assist of the season at 7:47 of the opening stanza.
 
Adam Zinka evened the score less than two minutes later for the Falcons. Ville Immonen backhanded a shot off the right post and Zinka's stick shattered as he one-timed the rebound in at 9:18. Tommy Pasanen collected the second assist.
 
Carrabes made it 2-1 when he wheeled into the zone and wired a low wrister off a defenseman and in at 15:09. Eisele and Campbell Cichosz started the play with breakout passes up the ice.
 
Ashton collected his third goal of the season on the power play in the second period with a left point shot started by passes from Evan Murr and Luciano Wilson. Kaden Bohlsen added insurance in the third period with an even strength tally for his second of the year (assisted by Mason Wheeler) and Alex Tracy made 20 saves in goal for Minnesota State.
 
Eisele, Carrabes and Ashton all finished with one goal and one assist.
 
"Tonight it was about harnessing some energy," said head coach Luke Strand. "We just had to keep some discipline and detail inside of it. Bowling Green skates and plays hard so we had to match some of that which helped us get back in the groove. It's hard to do sometimes after an off-week. The excitement level to get back on the rink with teammates was kind of the meter."
 
"We thought it was really important after break to come out strong in the first," Carrabes said. "We didn't think we played a perfect game, but it's pretty hard to play perfect in this league. I'm really happy and proud of the guys who stepped up tonight. Obviously, Tracy has been phenomenal every night this year. Hats off to him. It's just been awesome to watch."
 
The Mavericks have won three straight, following a sweep over Michigan Tech November 22-23.
 
Fans attending Saturday night's game are encouraged to bring a stuffed animal for the annual Teddy Bear Toss, supporting Toys For Tots charity.