MANKATO, Minn. — #19 Minnesota State dropped a 4-1 decision to #7 Wisconsin Saturday evening. The Mavericks were outshot 32-18 and were limited to three third-period shots, with their goal coming on one of three power-play chances.
With the loss, MSU falls to 0-2-0 on the season, while UW improves to 4-0-0.
After the Mavericks came up empty on an early power play in the first period, they continued to put pucks toward Daniel Hauser, but Wisconsin struck first with 13:11 to go in the period when Chase Jette scored off assists from Vasily Zelenov and Oliver Tulk for a 1-0 lead.
The Mavericks generated another pair of chances from
Daimon Gardner shortly after the goal, while Wisconsin answered with looks that
Raiden LeGall handled through the middle of the period. Wisconsin went on the power play at 7:15, but LeGall stopped back-to-back Luke Osburn shots as the Mavericks killed off the penalty.
The period closed with the Mavericks earning a power play in the final seconds and sending two late shots wide, leaving Wisconsin ahead 1-0 at intermission. MSU finished the opening period with a 10-5 advantage in shots on goal.
The Mavericks spent much of the early second period defending Wisconsin pressure, with LeGall handling repeated shots before they killed off
Mason Kraft's slashing penalty midway through the period. After UW's Jack Phelan was called for holding, the Mavericks generated several power-play looks before tying the game at 1-1 with 3:27 to go in the period.
Sam Court's shot from the blue line just missed the net, but a carom off the end boards bounced off of Hauser's skate and into the net to tie the game at 1-1. Wisconsin threatened late when Zach Wooten hit the pipe at 18:07, but Wooten would later find the back of the net at 19:22 off assists from JJ Wiebusch and Gavin Morrissey to send Wisconsin into intermission ahead 2-1.
LeGall kept the Mavericks within reach through the opening half of the third period, turning away a series of Wisconsin chances before
Gus Thorp was called for holding at 12:42. Wisconsin converted that power play at 10:46 when Vasily Zelenov scored off assists from Logan Hensler and Zach Wooten, pushing the margin to 3-1.
The Mavericks pulled LeGall for an extra attacker with 3:08 remaining and generated late looks from Benincasa,
Mason Kraft,
Alex Zetterberg,
Liam Watkins,
Sawyer Scholl and Court, but Daniel Hauser made a save on Zetterberg and Wisconsin blocked multiple attempts. UW's Finn Brink scored into the empty net at 0:46 off a Gavin Morrissey assist as Wisconsin finished off the 4-1 win.
Court scored the Mavericks' goal, converting on the power play with his lone shot. LeGall finished with 28 saves in goal.
Reid Morich posted 10 faceoff wins and blocked four shots. Benincasa added an assist, won six faceoffs and blocked one shot.
Up next, Minnesota State visits Merrimack on Friday, Oct. 16, at 6:00 p.m. (CST) at Lawler Arena in North Andover, Mass.
