MANKATO, Minn. - Minnesota State extended its winning streak to five games by downing visiting Alaska Anchorage 3-1 tonight in front of 4,010 fans here at the Alltel Center.
The No. 15-ranked Mavericks (14-10-4, 8-9-4 WCHA) scored three unanswered goals, including two power-play markers, to erase a 1-0 first-period deficit and earn their fourth consecutive win on home ice.
Sophomore wing Josh Lunden notched the lone goal for the Seawolves (7-13-7, 3-13-5 WCHA) at the 4:22 mark of the first, staking UAA to a 1-0 lead with his team-leading 12th goal of the season, but MSU and goaltender Mike Zacharias (20 saves) would hold the Green and Gold scoreless the remainder of the game.
Jason Wiley tallied a power-play goal at 8:44 of the first knotting the game at 1-1, while Joel Hanson and Trevor Bruess would add second-period scores at 13:04 and 18:50 (power play) putting the Mavs ahead for good.
Sophomore goalie Jon Olthuis made 18 saves, including a game-high 11 in the second period.
MSU, which moved into a tie for fourth in the league standings with 20 points, connected on 2 of 4 power-play chances while holding the Seawolves scoreless on their only man-advantage situation of the night. UAA had killed off 14 straight power plays before surrendering MSU's man-advantage score in the first period.
Each team ended the game with 21 shots, while UAA out-gunned MSU 8-3 in the final frame.
The Mavericks were whistled for just two penalties while the Seawolves committed five.
UAA freshman Luka Vidmar tallied his fourth assist of the season on UAA's goal, while sophomore Kevin Clark added his team-best 16th assist with the second helper.
The same two teams meet Saturday in Mankato at 4:07 p.m. (Alaska)
