BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – No. 17 Minnesota State and Bowling Green played to their third overtime tie head-to-head this season, finishing 1-1 on Saturday at Slater Family Ice Arena. The Mavericks outshot Bowling Green 38-20, then posted two goals in a six-round shootout for five points in the weekend series.
 
The Mavericks (17-9-6, 13-7-4 CCHA) conclude the regular season with a home series against Northern Michigan beginning on Friday, February 27 at 7:07 p.m. CT.
 
Minnesota State scored the game's first goal in the first period. Following an offensive zone faceoff, Luigi Benincasa spun around and shot from between the circles. BGSU goaltender Cole Moore kicked out a rebound and Liam Watkins backhanded it through for his sixth of the season at 2:59.
 
The Mavericks killed a pair of minor penalties prior to the end of the period, but Dominik Rymon did ring the post on the power play.
 
The Mavericks maintained the advantage in shots on goal in the second stanza, then killed a minor penalty through the midpoint of the third period without allowing a shot to the Falcons.
 
Seconds later, the Mavericks earned their third power play but surrendered a shorthanded goal at 12:44. After receiving a pass from Brandon Whynott, Rymon hustled through the neutral zone and took the puck backhand to forehand, then around goaltender Alex Tracy's outstretched pad. Jackson Niedermayer also assisted for the Falcons.
 
Both teams earned scoring chances in overtime but failed to convert. Jordan Ronn scored with a high backhand shot in round two of the shootout and Jack Smith found the five-hole in round six. Tracy closed the door on Quinn Emerson on the ensuing try, and his shot sailed wide.
 
Bowling Green finished 0-4 on the power play and the Mavericks went 0-2. The Falcons held the edge in faceoffs 36-21. Luigi Benincasa and Evan Murr led MSU with four blocked shots apiece.
 
The Mavericks won 5-4 on Friday night after the teams tied 4-4 and 1-1 on Nov. 7-8 in Mankato. With 46 points in the standings, MSU went ahead of BGSU (44 points). Both have two games to play before the Mason Cup playoffs begin. Four points currently separate the top five teams in the CCHA.