MADISON, Wis. – For a second straight night, No. 20 Minnesota State battled No. 17 Wisconsin to an overtime tie, with the Badgers taking the exhibition shootout in round seven. The Mavericks scored a pair of power play goals but Wisconsin tied it 2-2 in the second period in non-conference men's hockey Friday at Kohl Center.
 
Minnesota State struck for a pair of first-period markers. With a 5-on-3 power play following a major penalty against the Badgers, Luigi Benincasa put away his second goal in as many nights. Zetterberg set up Benincasa below the dot for a sharp-angle one-timer. Tristan Lemyre also assisted.
 
Four minutes later, Charlie Lurie banged home a rebound after Evan Murr's point shot found its way through traffic.
 
Quinn Finley exited the penalty box and swung in for a low wrister to cut the Badger deficit in half 43 seconds into the second period. Ben Dexeimer and Oliver Tulk sprung Finley and collected assists.
 
Wisconsin held the line on a Maverick clearing attempt and tied the game 7:11 into the middle stanza. Luke Osburn took the shot from the point and Simon Tassy deflected it in near the back post.
 
The Mavericks killed all five minutes of a major penalty in the early stages of the third period, then earned a five-minute power play of their own near its midpoint. The Badgers outshot MSU 12-2 in the scoreless final period but the Mavericks held the edge in overtime 3-0 after winning the opening faceoff and controlling much of the possession over the five-minute span.

"We got better as a team from week one to week two," said head coach Luke Strand. "We are excited to come home to play for our university and community."
 
The Badgers outshot the Mavericks 40-32 overall. Goaltender Alex Tracy made 38 saves and stopped six shots in the shootout before Blake Montgomery ended it for Wisconsin in round seven. Daniel Hauser was perfect in the shootout and recorded 30 saves in regulation and overtime. Wisconsin continued its domination in the faceoff circle 34-19. Luigi Benincasa led MSU with six shots on goal.
 
The Mavericks (1-1-2) host RPI (0-3-0) in their home opener on Friday, October 24 at 7 p.m. Minnesota State will drop banners to commemorate their MacNaughton Cup and Mason Cup Championships last season. The team celebrates Senior Night on Saturday, October 25 at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. The Badgers (2-0-2) host Alaska next weekend.