MEN'S HOCKEY: BSU roughed up in Mankato 6-1 as Minnesota State completes sweep

MANKATO – The Bemidji State hockey team’s trip to Mankato ended poorly.

Minnesota State pushed the Beavers around all night Saturday night, outshot BSU 32-18 and dominated the power play to win the WCHA game 6-1 Saturday night at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato.

The Beavers (3-7-2, 2-6-2 WCHA) gave up four power play goals to the Mavericks (7-5-2, 5-5-0 WCHA) and ended up with 38 minutes of penalty time, including two game misconducts.

After a good start by the Beavers – getting a couple shots on goal and good pressure in the first few minutes of the game – it all came unhinged.

MSU’s Brett Stern scored his first career goal at the 5:59 mark, pouncing on a loose puck in front of the net to beat BSU goaltender Mathieu Dugas.

Five minutes later, the Beavers were whistled for boarding at 10:48, and, late in the power play, the Mavs struck again.

Johnny McInnis beat Dugas at 12:21 to put the score at 2-0.

In all, Minnesota State outshot BSU 18-2 in the first frame. The Mavericks rattled off 18 straight shots after the Beavers got the first two.

BSU didn’t get its first shot in the second period until there were six minutes to go.

And it was mostly for naught, as the Mavericks scored twice in the final five minutes of the period – once on a power play at 15:10 and again at the 17:00 mark when Matt Leitner sniped a goal from the point.

Bemidji State was whistled for two game misconduct penalties – one to Phil Brewer in the second period and another from Brady Wacker in the third period.

MSU scored three times as a result of those two penalties.

The Mavericks added two more goals in the third period to complete the rout – one from Josh Nelson and one from Eriah Hayes; both on the power play that resulted from Wacker’s penalty.

Danny Mattson added a late tally for the Beavers but the game was already out of reach.

The Mavericks outshot the Beavers 34-18 overall. Dugas took the loss for BSU, making 26 saves. Stephon Williams was the winning goaltender, needing to make just 17 saves.

Bemidji State 0 0 1 – 1

Minnesota State 2 2 2 – 6

First Period – 1, MSU, Brett Stern (Eriah Hayes, JP Lafontaine), 5:59; 2, MSU, Johnny McInnis (Teddy Blueger, Dylan Margonari), PP, 12:21. Penalties – BSU, David Boehm (Boarding), 10:48; BSU, Jake Areshenko (Holding), 17:08.

Second Period – 3, MSU, Chase Grant (Teddy Blueger, Dylan Margonari), PP, 15:10; 4, MSU, Matt Leitner, 17:00. Penalties – BSU, Sam Rendle (Hooking), 5:57; BSU, Cory Ward (Boarding), 15:00; BSU, Phil Brewer (Kneeing), 17:40; BSU, Phil Brewer (Game Misconduct), 17:40.

Third Period – 5, MSU, Josh Nelson (Teddy Blueger), PP, 3:09; 6, MSU, Eriah Hayes (JP Lafontaine, Brett Knowles), PP, 7:23; 7, BSU, Danny Mattson (Matt Prapavessis, Jordan George), PP, 13:07. Penalties – MSU, Johnny McInnis (Holding), 0:45; BSU, Brady Wacker (Contact To The Head), 2:22; BSU, Brady Wacker (Game Misconduct), 2:22, MSU, Jon Jutzi (Checking From Behind), 8:05; MSU, Jon Jutzi (Game Misconduct), 8:05; MSU, Zach Lehrke (Checking From Behind), 11:45; MSU, Zach Lehrke (Game Misconduct), 11:45.

Shots on Goal – BSU (2-4-12-18); MSU (18-8-8-34).

Goaltenders – BSU, Mathieu Dugas (32-26); MSU, Stephon Williams (18-17).

Power Plays – BSU 0-for-2; MSU 4-for-6.

Penalties-Minutes – BSU 8-38; MSU 4-32.