MANKATO, Minn. – Jordan Power notched his first career goal and Lucas Sowder put away the game-winner as Minnesota State polished a 2-1 victory over Northern Michigan in game one of the CCHA Quarterfinals Friday night at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. Alex Tracy made 32 saves in the effort.
 
The Mavericks (16-14-4) and Wildcats (12-14-6) are back for game two Saturday night at 6:07 p.m.
 
Power scored his first since skating for Clarkson University at even strength at 17:20. Zach Krajnik gained the line and wrapped around the net on his backhand. Then Tyler Haskins partially fanned on a one-timer in the low slot and the rebound on his second effort kicked out to Power who flashed in from the top of the right circle.
 
"I was just trying to bring my game to the table," Power said. "I thought our fourth line did a good job on the forecheck there. We had a few good wrap plays and I just saw an opportunity to jump down and take a shot. It was a lot of work from our forwards to make that open up."
 
"I thought the net traffic and pressure around the net was good," said head coach Luke Strand. "For him to be nosy enough to be offensive but at the same time he wasn't all in and he was able to come down on top of it. Big moment and a big-time play by Pows."
 
With a 1-0 lead at the break, the Mavericks led 10-7 in shots on goal.
 
The second period brought NMU its first power play and the Wildcats nearly evened the score twice, first losing a challenge when it was deemed Mason Wheeler did not close his hand on the puck in the crease. Had there been conclusive evidence to the contrary, the result would have been a penalty shot awarded to NMU. The 'Cats then found the crossbar but Tracy stretched to cover the rebound between pads on his back.
 
A short time later, Power sprung Luc Wilson for a breakaway but he was tripped up and sent careening into goaltender Beni Halasz. On the ensuing penalty shot, Wilson swung in at a snail's pace from the left circle but failed to score after the puck escaped his stick as he pulled it back to his forehand.
 
Lucas Sowder patiently posted his 12^th goal of the season on MSU's first power play, inching in from the left dot, assisted by Sam Morton (10) in the corner and Brandon Koch (12) at 16:59.
 
"Morty did a good job getting two guys to attack him on the boards and I just found a soft spot in the middle of the ice," Sowder said. "Groll and Eisele presented themselves as an option so I was able to take some time and get a shot and it went in."
 
The Wildcats outshot the Mavericks 15-2 in the second period but Tracy made a series of stops to preserve the 2-0 edge heading into the final 20 minutes.
 
"I thought Alex (Tracy) was calm, square, simple," Strand said. "Very small movements helped us. Not only with his shot prep but he was around for seconds. They (NMU) are a greedy team around the net in a good way but I thought he did a nice job being tight."
 
"Trace has been playing great," said Power. "He battled really hard tonight. It's very easy playing in front of him.
He was confident back there, moving side to side, being vocal. Heading into the new season of playoffs, I think when we're vocal and chatting out there, it helps us. All four of their lines can produce offense but he shut it down for us."
 
Early in the third, Jack Perbix's initial wraparound attempt was stopped by Tracy but Rylan Van Unen cleaned up the loose puck in the crease as NMU cut the deficit in half at 4:17. Michael Van Unen also assisted.
 
The Mavericks took their timeout, then iced the puck with 32 seconds left in regulation. Neutral zone pressure took more precious seconds off the clock and NMU failed to generate another high-grade chance with the goaltender pulled.
 
The Wildcats outshot the Mavericks 33-21 overall and won 31 faceoffs (51.7-percent). The Mavericks killed one minor penalty and went 1-1 on the power play. Minnesota State also blocked 18 shots.
 
"It's that time of the year," Strand said when asked about the defensive effort. "When someone releases it, that's your opportunity to block it. It takes a committed group and we're going to need 30 tomorrow."
 
"In the playoffs it takes every single player on the ice," Sowder said. "You're not going to see as many goals as in the regular season so it comes down to doing the right things and taking care of the puck and I thought we did a really good job tonight."