HOUGHTON, MICH. — Earlier in the season, the Minnesota State men’s hockey team was struggling in the third period.
Those issues seem to be behind the Mavericks after another strong final frame Saturday.
Despite trailing early, No. 17 MSU scored three unanswered goals, including two in the third period, in a 3-1 CCHA win over No. 20 Michigan Tech at John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. The Mavericks scored four unanswered in the third in a 5-2 victory in Game 1 of the series Friday night.
“It’s just confidence in tight games. Our guys are in great condition,” MSU coach Luke Strand said. “Even though the games (are) even, we haven’t felt like we’re chasing it. It’s a good feeling for a coach.”
The Huskies scored the game’s first goal at 5:38 of the second, but Zach Krajnik answered with a shorthanded goal at 10:38. It was fitting for Krajnik, a regular on the penalty kill, to score his first goal of the season down a man.
MSU finished 7 for 7 on the penalty kill in the win.
“The goal is great, but (scoring) doesn’t change the way he approaches things,” Strand said. “The goal is icing on top.”
Ralfs Bergmanis got the game-winner at 12:33 of the third, when his point shot made it home amid traffic. Adam Eisele added an insurance goal less than a minute later at 13:09, and the Mavericks remained in total control down the stretch.
Shots on goal favored Tech 33-18. Alex Tracy made 32 saves to record his 10th win of the season.
The Mavericks (10-4-2, 5-1-2 in CCHA) are off next week after playing eight consecutive weekends to begin the season. MSU will host Bowling Green Dec. 6-7 at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.
Men’s basketball: Will Opsahl finished with 19 points and four rebounds for the Mavericks in a 106-71 nonconference win over Minnesota Morris at Bresnan Arena.
Kyreese Willingham had 16 points and eight rebounds for MSU, while Carson Schweim scored 15.
The Mavericks won the battle on the glass 51-29.
MSU (2-4) will play in the Bill Gross Augustana Classic next weekend.
Bethany Lutheran
Men’s basketball: Drew Sagedahl led the Vikings with 28 points and nine rebounds in an 87-76 nonconference home loss to St. Scholastica.
Jax Madson added 22 points and eight rebounds for Bethany, while DJ Akpati scored 13.
The Vikings (1-4) host Wisconsin-La Crosse Dec. 4.
Gustavus Adolphus
Men’s basketball: Carson Koch scored 15 points, including going 11 of 11 from the free-throw line, for the Gusties in a 77-66 nonconference win over Simpson.
Myles Barnette finished with 17 points for Gustavus, while Wyatt Olson led the team with nine rebounds.
The Gusties (3-1) play a road game against Wisconsin-Platteville Dec. 1.