Mankato, Minn.  --- Third-rated Minnesota State started fast and never looked back in downing Ferris State 5-1 in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association contest played in Mankato Friday evening.

Five different players scored for the Mavericks in the win, but it was the three goals in the first 8:29 of the first period that set the tone.

Sophomore defenseman Carter Foguth fired a shot from the point that eluded FSU senior CJ Motte to give the Mavericks a 1-0 lead 16 seconds into the contest.  Then, at 5:22 with the Minnesota State on the power play, junior center Teddy Blueger redirected a pass from Jon Jutzi into the back of the net for his ninth goal of the year.  Senior forward Matt Leitner showed incredible patience in front of the net before depositing the puck into the twine at 8:29 to make it 3-0, again, with the Mavericks on the power play. The goal is Leitner's sixth of the season.  The Bulldogs cut into the lead at 13:18 on a Kyle Schempp deflection.

The two teams battled through a scoreless second period before Maverick forward C.J. Franklin's pass through the slot area was touched by Bryce Gervais past Motte at 4:04 of the third stanza. The tally is the 16^th of the season for Gervais.  Junior forward Brett Knowles got his fourth of the campaign at 14:16 to close out scoring in the game.

Senior defenseman Zach Palmquist contributed two assists and was +2 in the win.

Minnesota State, which went two-for-three on the power play, outshot Ferris State by a 31-22 margin in the game as junior netminder Stephon Williams upped his record on the season to 16-3-1.

The Mavericks are now 20-5-1 on the season (16-2-1 WCHA) with tonight's win and are the first team in the nation to reach the 20-win plateau. Ferris State stands 11-14-1 (8-9-0 WCHA).

The two teams close out the two-game league set Saturday, with a 7:07 p.m. face-off scheduled at Verizon Wireless Center.

Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the game.