MARQUETTE, Mich. – Ryan Duguay scored a hat trick and the Wildcats blocked 34 shots to end No. 12 Minnesota State's 11-game unbeaten streak 3-2 Friday night at Berry Events Center in CCHA play.
 
The Mavericks (14-5-2, 9-2-2 CCHA) lost in regulation for the first time since Nov. 1 and conclude the season series with Northern Michigan (2-18-1, 1-11-2 CCHA) Saturday at 5:07 p.m. CT.
 
Duguay found the puck cutting to the backside of the crease for the first goal of the game at 16:13. Jakub Altrichter and Aidyn Hutchinson assisted.
 
It took Will Hillman 26 seconds of the second period to tie the game 1-1. Jakob Stender assisted after Hillman snuck a wrist shot past Ryan Ouellette on the low glove side.
 
Crisp passing enabled Duguay's second goal of the night game at 4:13 for a 2-1 edge. Hutchinson shoveled the puck into the low slow for Duguay on the power play.
 
Duguay made it 3-1 eight minutes into the third period, then successfully killed a 5-on-3 for 1:16 near the midpoint of the frame.
 
Evan Murr scored on the power play to get the Mavericks back to a one-goal deficit but the visitors failed to grab the equalizer with the net empty late.

"We need to clean up our special teams," said head coach Luke Strand. "Our group has to. dig in and embrace the grind of offense, get grittier at and away from the puck."
 
The Mavericks led 27-23 in shots on goal and went 1-6 on the power play. Three players recorded six blocked shots for NMU and the Wildcats finished 2-3 with the extra man. NMU won 37 faceoffs to MSU's 26.
 
Minnesota State and Northern Michigan are 1-1-1 against one another this season.