Mavericks Defeat Huskies 6-4 to Gain Sweep

Ryan Papa watches a first period goal by Blake Winiecki (photo prout)

Mankato, MN – In a game devoid at times of defense and goaltending, the Huskies and Mavericks racked up 10 goals and #14 Minnesota State outlasted the #7 Huskies with a 6-4 win and sweep of the weekend series at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato, MN. The win continued the dominance of the Mavericks vs the Huskies on their home ice winning 5 of the past 8 games since the 2007-08 season. It also improved MSU’s 2016-17 early season record to 4-0-0. The Huskies drop their first two games of the regular season to see their record fall to 0-2-0.

The Mavericks put the Huskies in a hole immediately as defenseman, Clint Lewis (Michaelis)  scored off a faceoff just 20 seconds into the contest for a 1-0 Mavs lead. Lewis (Foguth| Nelson) added another just 2:21 later when his shot from the left point deflected off Will Borgen’s skate and past Driscoll for a 2-0 lead. However, SCSU showed some resiliency, rallying for the next three goals to take a 3-2 lead. First, Ryan Papa (J Poehling | Winecki) scored off a rebound by a shot by Jack Poehling at 5:39 for a 2-1 game. This was Poehlings first collegiate point. SCSU added another at 10:56 on a nice drive to the net by Judd Peterson (Schuldt)  who beat Cole Huggins to knot the game at 2-2. The Huskies finally took the lead at 15:49 when Blake Winiecki (Borgen | Papa)  wristed a shot from between the dots that beat Huggins for a 3-2 lead. Winiecki’s first shot was blocked by the defense but he gathered the rebound and put it past Huggins. Minnesota State outshot the Huskies 11-10 in  period one.

Mankato scored the balance of their four goals in period two to finish off the Huskies. They tied the game at 2:26 when Jordan Nelson (Rivera | Coatta) beat Driscoll with a one-timer off a feed from behind the net by Nicholas Rivera. But, SCSU responded at 5:29 on a goal by senior Daniel Tedesco (Storm | Benson). Ben Storm backhanded a pass from behind the MSU goal to Tedesco who one-timed it past Huggins for a 4-3 SCSU lead. Parker Tuomie then scored his first of two in the period at 7:43. Tuomie (Huntebrinker)  got behind the SCSU defense and scored off his own rebound to once again tie the game at 4-4. Chandler Madry gave the Mavericks the lead at 11:09 beating Driscoll five-hole with a wrist shot from the right circle for a 5-4 game. The fifth goal marked the exit from the game for SCSU starter Zach Driscoll who was replaced by Jeff Smith. Tuomie (Knutson | Huntebrinker) topped off the scoring with his second of the period at 15:21 for a 6-4 final. SCSU was once again outshot 14-11 in period two.

Period three was devoid of scoring with the exception of a possible goal scored by Jimmy Schuldt late in period three that was reviewed and waived off due to a hand pass. That could have made it a one-goal game and it appeared to deflate the Huskies somewhat as they tried to rally from two goals down late in the third period. The Huskies were again outshot 8-6 in period three.

For the game, SCSU was outshot 33-27 and the combination of Driscoll and Smith turned aside 27 SOG for a .82 SV%. MSU goaltender Cole Huggins earned his fourth win of the season and stopped 23 of 27 shots for a .85 SV%. In a fairly penalty free game, both teams for 0/2 on the power play.  Parker Tuomie and Clint Lewis led the Mavericks with two goals each. Jordan Nelson and Michael Huntebrinker both had a two-point night as well. The Huskies were led by Blake Winiecki and Ryan Papa who were both 1-1-2 on the evening.

SCSU returns to action next weekend with a home and home series with the University of MInnesota. Friday’s contest is at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis and the rematch on Saturday in St. Cloud. The Mavericks make the trip to Alaska to face the University of Alaska (Fairbanks).

Stars of the Game: Tuomie (MSU) | Lewis (MSU) | Nelson (MSU)

Box Score