SAULT STE. MARIE, MICH. — It looked like the Minnesota State men’s hockey team was headed for a drama-free victory over Lake Superior State on Saturday night.
However, the Lakers pushed late in the third period, which led to some tense moments in the closing minutes.
The Mavericks eventually held on to win the CCHA contest 4-3, giving them five of six conference points on the weekend. The teams played to a 2-2 tie in Game 1 of the series Friday night, with MSU getting the extra point by winning the shootout.
“I thought we showed a lot of winning characteristics,” Strand said. “It was a lot of good moments.”
Just as they did Friday, the Mavericks had a 2-0 lead, with Sam Morton scoring at 16:03 of the first period and Adam Eisele scoring 18 seconds into the second.
However, the Lakers kept fighting back. They made it 2-1 at 15:26 of the second, and answered again after Mason Wheeler’s goal to make it 3-2 at 19:35 of the second. That score held into the second intermission.
It was Wheeler’s first career goal.
“It’s his warrior mentality, his hardness, that is his go-to part of his game,” Strand said. “For him to score and be rewarded is a little icing on the cake. We’ve actually had conversations about the goose egg, so I’m glad it’s off his shoulders.”
Kaden Bohlsen scored the game-winning goal at 4:28 of the third, but the Lakers wouldn’t go away. Lake State’s Sasha Teleguine scored to make it 4-3 at 15:34, and they pushed hard to tie it down the stretch.
However, MSU goaltender Keenan Rancier made some key saves late. Final shots on goal were tied 29-29.
“I thought we played a much sturdier and connected game,” Strand said. “They got their (goal) late in the third, but to the guys’ credit, there was no panic on the bench.”
The Mavericks (6-6-2, 4-3-1 in CCHA) host St. Thomas at 7:07 p.m. Friday at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.
Follow Kevin Dudley on Twitter @Dudley7Kevin.