The Free Press
MARQUETTE, Mich. – Sophomore forward Liam Watkins posted his first collegiate two-goal game and senior Alex Tracy made 35 saves for his 10th career shutout as No. 14 Minnesota State topped Northern Michigan 4-0 Friday at Berry Events Center.
The Mavericks (9-2-4, 6-1-2 CCHA) won their fifth straight game and junior defenseman Evan Murr helped the effort with three assists.
MSU and NMU (0-15-0, 0-7-0 CCHA) play at 5:07 p.m. Saturday in Marquette.
Watkins cleaned up a rebound from Jacob Conrad’s point shot for a power play goal at 12:42 of the first period. Murr also assisted on Watkins’ fourth of the season for the Mavericks.
Watkins made it 2-0 on the power play in the second period. After Tristan Lemyre made space on zone-entry, Murr passed it to Luigi Benincasa for a shot from the left circle. Watkins worked his way free and tucked in another rebound at the back post for the Mavericks at 4:48.
After sustained pressure in the offensive zone, Murr’s shot from the right point redirected off Alex Zetterberg’s skate and in for a 3-0 advantage. It was Zetterberg’s third goal in as many games. Lemyre skated in an empty net goal with 21 seconds left for the Mavericks.
MSU finished the night 2 of 3 on the power play and killed both minor penalties. The Mavericks posted 37 shots on NMU netminder William Gramme.
MSU is unbeaten over its last seven outings and the Mavericks have not lost in regulation since dropping their season opener 6-2 to Omaha on Oct. 10. Tracy lowered his goals against average to 1.76 with two shutouts this season.
NMU’s William Gramme stopped 33 MSU shots.