MANKATO, Minn. – The No. 7 Minnesota State Mankato Mavericks scored four power play goals to defeat the Alaska Nanooks hockey team 4-0 in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association contest at the Verizon Center on Friday evening.
In both Alaska and Minnesota State's first conference game of the season, the Mavericks earn three WCHA points with the victory while the Nanooks receive zero. The loss drops Alaska's overall record to 0-6-1 and 0-1-0 in WCHA play, while Minnesota State improves to 4-1-0 overall and 1-0-0 in league contests.
Special teams proved to be the difference-maker in Friday's game, as Alaska gave up four goals with a man in the penalty box. Despite only being outshot 6-0 in the first period, both teams were held scoreless after 20 minutes.
Unfortunately for the Nanooks, Mankato earned three power play goals in the second period alone, courtesy of Reggie Lutz (4:35) and two from Julian Napravnik (10:18, 13:33). The Nanooks were outshot 14-4 in the second stanza, with five of MSU's shots coming on the power play.
The Nanooks were only outshot in the third period 6-2 but the Mavericks tallied their fourth and final power play goal of the night from Charlie Gerard at 5:13 mark.
At the end of 60 minutes, MSU went 4-for-8 on the man-advantage, while Alaska was held to 0-for-2 on the power play.
The Nanooks were outshot 26-6 by the home team, with junior forward
Kylar Hope contributing three of Alaska's six shots on goal.
Despite the score, junior goaltender
Anton Martinsson kept the Nanooks in the game, making a combined 22 saves against the Mavericks, including 11 in the second period alone. On the other end of the ice, MSU's Mathias Israelsson collected six saves.
The Alaska Nanooks hockey team will look for redemption against Minnesota State tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 27) in another WCHA match-up at the Verizon Center in downtown Mankato. Puck-drop is scheduled for 4:07pm AKDT.
For more information on the Alaska Nanooks hockey team, follow @NanooksHockey on Twitter or like the Alaska Nanooks Hockey team page on Facebook.
