Box Score MANKATO, Minn. - The Nanooks came back from a two goal deficit in the second period, but the No. 2 nationally ranked Minnesota State Mavericks scored three goals in the third period, to defeat Alaska 5-2 in their Western Collegiate Hockey Association series finale.
Alaska (8-8-0, 3-7-0 WCHA) got second period goals from Nolan Youngmun and the surging Tyler Morley, but it was not enough as Minnesota State (12-4-0, 10-2-0 WCHA) scored three power play goals and three overall goals in the final period to earn the win.
The Mavericks got on the board first in the opening period, as Casey Nelson scored on the power play eight minutes into the game. The hosts would double their lead five minutes into the second period, again on the power play, through Dylan Margonari.
Youngmun started the rally four minutes later, as he got the Nanooks on the board thanks to helpers from Alec Hajdukovich and Josh Erickson.
Tyler Morley added another goal, his third in two games, on the power play at the 17:26 mark to tie the game at two. The assistant captain linked up with the captain, Colton Paryako, to set up the deciding third period.
Unfortunately for Alaska, Margonari reestablished Minnesota State's lead less than a minute into the period. It would be a lead that the Mavericks would not relinquish, as Margonari completed his hat trick late in the game on the power play, following the Mavericks' fourth goal, which came from Brad McClure.
Overall, the Mavericks went 3-for-5 on the power play and the Nanooks went 1-for-4 as special teams continue to be a theme throughout the campaign for Alaska. Offensively, the Nanooks struggled to get any real momentum going, as they mustered only 14 shots on goal, though their two goals on four shots in the second period did chase Stephon Williams from the game. Davis Jones made 20 saves in the loss for Alaska.
The Nanooks now return home for a weekend series against Alabama State Huntsville on Dec. 12 and 13 at the Carlson Center.
