MANKATO — The Minnesota State men’s hockey team has surrendered only one goal in several victories this season.
But the shutout has always eluded the Mavericks.
MSU finally got that first shutout of the season in a 4-0 CCHA victory over Ferris State on Saturday in front of 4,615 fans at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center. The Mavericks won Game 1 of the series 4-2 Friday.
“We pride ourselves in playing to a standard at all times, no matter what the score says. Coach really harped on it a lot in the locker room — playing for the zero,” MSU goaltender Alex Tracy said. “It’s not solely just for the goalie’s sake at all.
“It’s more so a mindset. … I think everybody bought into that tonight.”
Tracy made 24 saves to get the second shutout of his career. The performance came a night after fellow MSU goalie Keenan Rancier made 26 saves en route to a victory.
The two goaltenders have settled into a steady rotation, with both having started one game in each of MSU’s last six series. MSU coach Luke Strand said it’s nice to have two strong options at the position.
“It’s better than having two guys and you’re guessing which one’s going to play well,” Strand said with a laugh. “They’re mounting up some momentum for our group. It’s really easy for our guys to want to play in front of them.”
For a second straight night, Josh Groll got MSU on the scoreboard early, scoring the game-winning goal at 2:12 of the first period. Groll finished a perfectly executed line rush, with assists going to Adam Eisele and Brian Carrabes.
Groll, who had a goal and an assist, has been one of the team’s most consistent players lately after a slow start to the season. His line, with Carrabes and Eisele, combined for five points in the win.
“It’s good for him to be rewarded. He’s played hard,” Strand said of Groll. “The scoresheet hasn’t said it the right way compared to the way he’s played.”
Luc Wilson scored at 11:05 of the first, and Sam Morton made it 3-0 at 15:53 to give MSU a 3-0 lead into the first intermission.
Kaden Bohlsen got MSU’s final goal of the victory at 12:36 of the second, and the Mavericks never looked back.
All four of MSU’s goals had two assists and started with impressive passing, including a no-look, cross-ice feed from Wilson to set up Morton with an easy tap-in.
“It’s so much fun watching it,” Tracy said with a smile. “We’re a skilled group. We know we can put the puck in the net.”
Shots on goal favored MSU 40-24.
The Mavericks (11-8-3, 7-4-1 in CCHA) play next weekend at Bowling Green.
“Some folks hadn’t seen us play since early-December. Then they watch us now — I think there’s a better way of playing together that they’re doing right now than they have been all year,” Strand said. “Those are the consistent measures that we probably need here down the stretch.”
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