HOUGHTON, Mich. – Kaden Bohlsen scored twice and the Mavericks polished off a 4-2 victory over Michigan Tech Saturday afternoon at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena to split the weekend series and gain three valuable points in the stretch run of the CCHA regular season.
 
The Mavericks (15-11-4, 11-7-2 CCHA) sit atop the standings with 35 points and four games left to play. After a weekend off, Minnesota State will be in Mankato to host Lake Superior State Feb. 23-24 at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.

"I am happy for our guys to answer the challenge on the road," said head coach Luke Strand. "Now is a good time for a break to heal up some bodies. We are excited to regroup and continue to move forward."
 
Nearing the halfway mark of the first period, Adam Eisele stripped the puck from Matthew Campbell in the corner and fed it in front for a one-timer by Josh Groll. Blake Pietila made the initial save but Brian Carrabes cleaned up the rebound for his seventh of the season at 8:22.
 
Similar to Friday night, the Huskies wasted little time in response. Following a long cross-ice pass through the neutral zone from Jed Pietila, Tyson Bronte charged up the right side and ripped a shot over the glove of goaltender Alex Tracy. The goal came just 1:19 after Carrabes' marker for a 1-1 tie.
 
Later, Sam Morton circled in the offensive zone and put away his CCHA leading 20^th goal of the season in the low slot. The play started behind the Husky goal. Morton made space and chipped it to Evan Murr. The two switched places and Morton broke for the goal to receive the return pass from Murr at 4:25.
 
The goal marked the 40^th of Morton's career. Luc Wilson (10) also assisted as the Mavericks took a 3-1 edge into the final period.
 
The Huskies pulled to within one 4:53 into the third period. Levi Stauber drew a right circle faceoff back to Marcus Pedersen, who blasted it through the middle. Michigan Tech continued to pressure for the equalizer late and the Mavericks went shorthanded with under four minutes remaining due to a too many men on the ice minor penalty.
 
With the net empty the Mavericks killed it off and Kaden Bohlsen put the final exclamation on the win, scoring with 3.2 seconds remaining.
 
Michigan Tech celebrated its annual Winter Carnival Series with a presentation of the John MacInnes trophy postgame. With the teams tied in total goals over the two-game series, the Huskies won an exhibition sudden-death shootout that went five rounds.
 
Neither team posted a goal on the power play. The Mavericks finished 0-2 while MTU went 0-4. Alex Tracy stopped 26 shots in net for MSU and Blake Pietila made 12 saves for the Huskies. MTU outshot the Mavericks 12-3 in the third period but MSU blocked 15 shots.
 
Michigan Tech (12-13-6, 9-9-2 CCHA) is in fourth place with 30 points. The Huskies close the year with Bowling Green and St. Thomas. After hosting Lake Superior State Feb. 23-24, Minnesota State travels to Bemidji State for the final weekend. The CCHA quarterfinals are scheduled for Mar. 8-10 and are hosted by high seeds.
 
The Mavericks are the defending MacNaughton Cup champions.