Madison, Wis.  --- Minnesota State owned the lead after one period of play but could not sustain it in dropping a 3-2 decision at #9 Wisconsin in a men’s college hockey game in Madison, Wis., Friday.

The Mavericks took a 1-0 lead into the locker room after senior forward Andrew Sackrison scored on a rebound with MSU on the power play at 19:12 of the first period. The goal, Sackrison’s fourth of the year, is his second power play marker of the season.

The Badgers struck for three goals in taking command of the game during the second period. UW knotted the score at 2:47 after Podge Turnbull poked a loose puck into the net following a nice save by MSU’s Phil Cook off a shot by Justin Schultz. It became a 2-1 UW lead at 7:20 after Jake Gardiner roofed a shot past Cook high on the stick side with the Badgers on the power play.   Michael Mersch converted on an odd-man rush at 18:44 at Wisconsin led 3-1 after two periods of play.

Then, at 14:57 of the final period of play, MSU junior forward Mike Louwerse blew a shot past Scott Gudmanson from the high slot for his fourth goal of the season to make it 3-2 to round out the scoring.

MSU outshot UW by a 39-30 margin in the game. Mike Louwerse had a goal and an assist to pace the Mavericks offensively.

With tonight’s loss, Minnesota State is now 10-10-5 overall and 4-10-3 WCHA. The Mavericks and the Badgers (16-8-3, 8-7-2 WCHA) close out the two-game set Saturday with a 7:07 p.m. face-off scheduled.

Head coach Troy Jutting comments following game:

 

-         30 -