MANKATO — The Minnesota State men’s hockey team controlled the final two periods against Michigan Tech.
It didn’t end up being enough.
An early two-goal deficit proved to be too much to overcome in a 3-2 CCHA overtime loss to the Huskies Friday night at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.
“We’ve got to learn to play 60 minutes as a group,” MSU defenseman Steven Bellini said. “We’ve got to learn how to turn that momentum around right away. We can’t let that second one in.”
The Huskies’ Ryland Mosley and Isaac Gordon scored even-strength goals at 4:45 and 5:52 of the first period, respectively.
However, the Mavericks battled back, as Luc Wilson got them on the scoreboard at 12:17 of the first. Assists went to Brandon Koch and Adam Eisele.
After a scoreless second period, Bellini scored his first goal of the season to tie the score at 12:17 of the third, with assists going to Sam Morton and Brian Carrabes. Bellini now has points in three straight games.
The Mavericks had chances to score in overtime, including a breakaway, but couldn’t convert. Mosley eventually scored the game-winning goal off a faceoff with six seconds remaining in OT.
Shots on goal favored Tech 38-23. MSU goaltender Keenan Rancier made 35 saves in his first game of the season.
“I thought his performance was excellent,” MSU coach Luke Strand said. “I love that he didn’t panic with the goals being early. I thought he stood very tall for us.”
The Mavericks (5-5-1, 3-2-0 in CCHA) finish their series with the Huskies at 6:07 p.m. Saturday at the Event Center.
Follow Kevin Dudley on Twitter @Dudley7Kevin.