2023-10-28 03:51:49
Next Game:
at #4 North Dakota
10/28/2023 | 6:07 p.m.
KTOE AM 1420
Oct. 28 (Sat) / 6:07 p.m.
at #4 North Dakota
History
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – No. 4 North Dakota scored four first-period goals to defeat Minnesota State 6-2 Friday night at Ralph Engelstad Arena in front of a crowd of 11,604. Jackson Blake netted a pair and added one assist to lead the Fighting Hawks to their fourth win (4-1-0).
The Mavericks (2-3-0) dropped their third straight non-conference outing, despite goals from Sam Morton (third) and Luc Wilson (second) in the second period.
“Obviously, it was a disappointing start,” said head coach Luke Strand. “To chase a team on the road is difficult. Individually and collectively we have to find a way to be better within 24 hours to raise our bar and be better.”
Britt Logan posted the first tally for UND just shy of three minutes into the first period from Griffin Ness. The Fighting Hawks added another even strength goal at 11:23 off the stick of Jayden Perron. Just 33 seconds later, Owen McLaughlin scored on the power play to make it 3-0 and Blake finished the period with a goal at 15:03.
The Fighting Hawks made it 5-0 at the halfway mark of the second before Sam Morton got Minnesota State on the board, assisted by Lucas Sowder and Evan Murr. Sowder came in from the left circle and dropped off a pass to Morton’s forehand for a one-time shot.
Luc Wilson grabbed another goal for the Mavericks before the end of the period following a turnover left him all alone with the puck in the low slot. After pushing it toward Ludvig Persson’s outstretched stick, Wilson slipped it under the UND goaltender on the second effort.
Blake put the final nail in the coffin with an even strength tally at 11:01 of the third, finishing off a disappointing night for the Mavericks, who managed 30 shots and 60 shot attempts in the losing effort.
In addition to Blake, Garrett Pyke and Owen McLaughlin also had three-point nights for North Dakota. McLaughlin posted a goal and two assists while Pyke mounted three helpers. The Fighting Hawks blocked 20 shots and Persson made 28 stops for a .933 save percentage.
Keenan Rancier entered in goal for Alex Tracy in the first period following the Fighting Hawks’ third goal. It was the first action for Rancier this season, who returned from injury.
UND went 2-for-4 on the power play. The Mavericks finished 0-for-3.
Minnesota State and North Dakota meet once more Saturday night at 6:07 p.m. to conclude the series in Grand Forks.
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