MANKATO, Minn. – Adam Eisele scored the game-winner and the penalty kill was perfect as No. 15 Minnesota State defeated No. 17 Augustana 4-1 Friday night at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.
 
The Mavericks (19-8-2, 14-5-2) reclaimed first place in the CCHA standings with five games left in the regular season. Augustana (16-8-3, 8-4-1) returns Saturday for the final game of the series at 6:07 p.m.
 
The Mavericks held a 12-6 shot advantage in a scoreless first period. Alex Tracy made an early right pad save on a 2-on-1 chance and both teams steered clear of the penalty box.
 
MSU generated chances on their first power play early in the second period. Back at even strength, Kaden Bohlsen found room from the right dot for his eighth goal of the season following sharp passing at the point between Steve Bellini (5) and Jordan Power (3) at 6:28.
 
Catching the Mavericks on a change, Quinn Rudrud rifled a shot off the right post and in on the blocker side for a breakaway goal at 7:55. Callum Gau and Will Howard assisted for Augustana.
 
The Mavericks killed two minor penalties simultaneously at 9:49 of the second period. Evan Murr blocked a pair of passes and the crowd rose to its feet when the home team returned to full strength.
 
Brett Moravec hit the post for the Mavericks. Then exactly two minutes later, the Mavericks scored to make it 2-1, 16:17 into the middle frame. Murr made space in the corner and dropped it to the top of the zone to Rhett Pitlick. Pitlick found Eisele on the back door, who backhanded in his 10^th goal of the season.
 
Luigi Benincasa added insurance on the power play in the third period, his fourth of the season. Pitlick and Murr assisted. Then Josh Groll finished off the evening with an empty net marker at 18:32.
 
Alex Tracy made 25 saves for the win in goal fo the Mavericks, improving his season record to 19-8-2. Josh Kotai stopped 29 shots for the Vikings. MSU successfully killed four minor penalties. Mason Wheeler, Campbell Cichosz and Will Hillman pitched in three blocked shots apiece.
 
The Mavericks won 24 of 47 faceoffs (51.1-percent).