MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State men's hockey dropped CCHA Championship banners pregame, then played to a 4-2 win over RPI Friday night in non-conference play at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.
 
Senior Jack Smith tallied a goal and an assist and Alex Zetterberg notched a pair of assists but Jacob Conrad's second period marker wound up as the game-winner as the Mavericks improved to 2-1-2 overall. The Engineers fell to 0-5-0. The teams conclude the weekend series Saturday at 6:07 p.m. CT.
 
The Maverick power play continued to produce, with two goals on three man-advantage chances. MSU also lit up the shot chart with 40 shots on goal to RPI's 19.
 
Senior Tristan Lemyre gave the Mavericks a 1-0 lead in the first period with a rebound shot from the bottom of the right circle. Luigi Benincasa and Campbell Cichosz picked up assists at 11:01.
 
Smith made it 2-0 on the power play, 6:50 into the middle period. Rainers Rullers cut the deficit in half at even strength for RPI. Then Jacob Conrad dropped to a knee and one-timed a rebound past RPI goaltender Nate Krawchuck. Alex Zetterberg set up Smith for the initial shot in the high slot and both assisted on the power play goal.
 
In the third period, Evan Murr gave the Maverick insurance, assisted at 3:35 by Jordan Ronn and Liam Watkins. Filip Sitar scored for RPI at the 12-minute mark, but a late power play for the Mavericks helped seal the victory.
 
Alex Tracy made 17 saves in goal for Minnesota State. Krawchuck finished with 36 saves for the Engineers. Murr and Jakob Stender led the Mavericks with five shots on goal and MSU went 2-2 on the penalty kill.