MENDOTA HEIGHTS — For the second night in a row, the Minnesota State men’s hockey team surrendered a third period lead when St. Thomas scored with just 1:08 left in regulation to tie the game at 2-2 Saturday night in Mendota Heights.
But unlike Friday night’s loss in Mankato, when the Mavericks gave up both a tying and go-ahead goals in the third period, Saturday night went to overtime where MSU’s Rhett Pitlick quickly scored the game-winner in the 3-2 victory. Josh Groll won the overtime faceoff, and Pitlick secured the victory just 23 seconds into the extra period with assists from Groll and Evan Murr.
Luc Wilson gave the Mavericks a 1-0 lead in the first period, assisted by Murr. In the second, after a tying goal by the Tommies, MSU regained the lead on a goal by Kaden Bohlsen at 14:47.
St. Thomas had 30 shots on goal to 22 for MSU with Alex Tracy making 28 saves in goal for the Mavericks, who improved to 18-8-2 (13-5-2 in CCHA play.) The 15th-ranked Mavericks will host No. 19 Augustana Friday night and Saturday night at the civic center.