MANKATO, Minn. ? Streaking Minnesota State skated to its sixth consecutive win and third straight series sweep as it doubled up Alaska Anchorage 4-2 here tonight at the Alltel Center.
The No. 15-ranked Mavericks (15-10-4, 9-9-4 WCHA) built a commanding 4-0 lead before the Seawolves (7-14-7, 3-14-5 WCHA) would answer with consecutive third-period goals from freshman Craig Parkinson and sophomore Josh Lunden, but UAA would fail to score on two power-pay chances in the final 10 minutes of regulation as MSU clinched the season series 3-0-1.
The Mavs owned the first two period of play, out shooting UAA a combined 30-11, including 16-6 in the opening frame. The Seawolf offense finally came to life in the third as it outgunned MSU 13-12. The Seawolves allowed a season-high 42 shots for the game, while generating 24 of their own.
Freshman Bryce Christianson started in net for the third time since joining the team in January, recording a season-high 38 saves, including 15 in the first period. The Anchorage product also thwarted off 13 shots in the second and 10 more in the third.
Parkinson's goal at 8:16 of the third cut MSU's lead to 4-1 as the rookie lit the lamp for the seventh time this season with a shot from the low left circle. Lunden buried a power-play chance through traffic from the right circle less than two minutes later at 10:05 bringing UAA to within two at 4-2.
With the momentum swinging their way the Seawolves would go back on the power play 15 seconds after Lunden's tally, but MSU would stiffen up its defense this time, killing off the man-advantage chance by UAA.
The Mavs, who would also successfully fend off another Seawolf power play at the 14:55 mark of the period, withstood a final Seawolf surge in the final minute of regulation as UAA skated with an extra attacker after pulling Christianson.
The Seawolves ended the night 1 for 6 on the power play, while holding the Mavs scoreless on all three of their man-advantage chances, marking the fourth time in the last five games it has shutout an opponent's power play.
MSU received a first-period goal from Zach Harrison and a second-period score from Mick Berge before Kael Mouillierat would tally two in the third. Mike Zacharias made 22 saves in a winning effort in net.
Collecting points with assists for UAA were senior Blair Tassone on Parkinson's marker and freshman Luka Vidmar and senior Merit Waldrop and Lunden's team-leading 13th goal.
The Seawolves are back in Anchorage next weekend as they host St. Cloud State Feb. 15-16.
