Men's Hockey can't slow potent Mavericks in season-ending loss

Mankato, Minn. - Minnesota State showed again why it's the No. 1-ranked team in Division I men's hockey as it erupted for seven goals over the final two periods in Saturday night's 8-2 CCHA playoff victory over St. Thomas before a crowd of 3,600-plus at the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.

The Mavericks (33-5-1) ran their winning streak to 13 games and move on to next weekend's semifinal round of the conference playoffs.

St. Thomas (3-32-1) was outshot 50-14 in its season-ending loss. Coach Rico Blasi's team took 21 losses this season to teams ranked in the top 20 at some point on the season. That included six defeats to No. 1-ranked Minnesota State.

The Toms played perhaps their best game of the season in losing just 3-2 to Minnesota State in the series opener. And the Purple were tied 1-1 here Saturday after the opening 20:00.

The Mavericks scored four goals in a 9:50 span of period two to build a 5-1 lead. The Toms scored early in period three to pull within three goals, but Minnesota State erupted for three more scores in a 4:51 span to close out the series sweep.

The Toms killed off four of five power-plays on Friday night but Minnesota State went 2-for-4 on the power play here Saturday.

Grant Loven and Tim Piechowski recorded the Tommies' goals. Peter Thome had 42 saves on Saturday and 81 on the two-game series. Thome closed the season with 813 saves in 29 games.

Luke Manning posted an assist on Loven's goal and collected five goals and five assists over the final seven games.

Men's Hockey can't slow potent Mavericks in season-ending loss

Team Stats

Tim Piechowski

Grant Loven

Matthew Jennings

Luke Manning

Players Mentioned

Grant Loven

Luke Manning

Tim Piechowski

Peter Thome

University of St. Thomas Athletics