Third-rated Minnesota State got two goals from junior forwardin downing Ferris State 5-1 in a Western Collegiate Hockey Association contest played in Mankato Saturday evening.

The Mavericks, who swept the weekend home conference series over the Bulldogs, are now 16-2-1 in their last 19 games.

It was a 1-0 Minnesota State lead after the first period of play with senior forward Max Gaede pouncing on a juicy rebound to score his third goal of the season at 12:05.

Junior forward Bryce Gervais got his 17th goal of the season when he sniped one past C.J. Motte with the Mavericks on the power play at 1:10 as it became a 2-0 lead. Then at 2:29, Ferris State responded with Kyle Schempp converting on a shorthanded breakaway chance to make the score 2-1. Minnesota State regained its two-goal edge at 3:43 as Gervais got his second goal of the game with another power play marker.

The Mavericks built on their lead as sophomore forward Michael Huntebrinker redirected a shot from the point into the Ferris net for his first goal of the 2014-15 campaign at the 26-second mark of the final period. Freshman forward Brad McClure made a 5-1 advantage when he slid in a backhander at 6:34 for his eighth tally of the season to close out the scoring.

Senior forward Matt Leitner, who assisted on both Gervais goals, became the 12th player in school history to hit the 150-career point plateau. Leitner has 46-104—150 for his four-year Minnesota State career.

Minnesota State, which converted on two-of-six chances on the power play, outshot Ferris State by a 35-18 margin in the game as junior netminder Stephon Williams upped his record on the season to 17-3-1.

The Mavericks are now 21-5-1 on the season (17-2-1 WCHA) with tonight's win. Ferris State stands 11-15-1 (8-10-0 WCHA).

Minnesota State continues league home action next Friday and Saturday with Alaska-Anchorage visiting Verizon Wireless Center.



Head coach Mike Hastings commented following the win.

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