Bulldogs shut out at Minnesota State 6-0, lose fifth straight to Mavericks

MANKATO — Fourth-ranked Minnesota Duluth gave up a trio of first-period goals and went nearly 21 minutes without registering a shot on goal in a 6-0 loss at No. 5 Minnesota State on Friday.

The Bulldogs (2-1), who have lost five straight to the Mavericks (2-1) dating back to Thanksgiving weekend in 2019, will hit the reset button and try to snap the skid again at 6 p.m. Saturday in Mankato.

“Obviously not the outcome you want and not an outcome you ever want in any sport, but that's a little bit of a welcome to the NCAA,” said Bulldogs fifth-year senior wing and captain Tanner Laderoute. “We're a pretty young team and we have a lot to learn, but just not good enough. They wanted pucks more. They battled harder. I know we're young and they have a little bit more experience, but that's never an excuse. Just overall, just not good enough.”

The Bulldogs trailed 3-0 at the first intermission after getting outshot 15-3 in the opening period, and then gave up another goal two and a half minutes into the second period.

Three of the Mavericks' first four goals came on the power play, and two of the three power play goals came during a checking-from-behind major penalty called on UMD junior wing Luke Mylymok.

Mylymok took the major in the corner on the Mavericks’ end with 2:19 to play in the first period — he remained in the game after video review ruled his hit didn’t deserve a game misconduct — and the Bulldogs already down 2-0.

Mavericks junior defenseman Jake Livingstone scored the first goal of the major from the back door on an open UMD net with just five seconds left in the first period. The second, by senior wing Cade Borchardt 2:34 into the second, came via a 5-on-3 Mavs’ advantage thanks to a high-sticking penalty by freshman defenseman Riley Bodnarchuk.

“You have to give them credit. They're a great power play,” Laderoute said. “They brought back some really amazing players and they get pucks through. They shoot it whenever they have an opportunity. They have a bunch of guys that are willing to pay the price around the net and battle for those pucks.”

The Mavericks finished 4-for-7 on the power play while UMD went 0-for-5. The Bulldogs had the first two power plays of the evening, as junior defenseman Wyatt Kaiser drew a pair of hooking minors. UMD generated a single shot on goal between the two chances.

UMD got its own 5-on-3 advantage for 40 seconds in the third, but senior defenseman Derek Daschke was the only one to get a shot on goal. UMD was credited with just two shots on goal for the 2:40 they were on the advantage.

“We had those two power plays in the first period that maybe you score on, get a lead, but we didn't do that,” Bulldogs coach Scott Sandelin said. “Then the dam broke. That's a team that really rides this momentum here (at home). The crowd gets into it and with the team that they have, it's tough sledding to come back.”

Sandelin said nights like Friday in Mankato are part of the growing process for a team that brought in 12 newcomers this year, including 10 freshmen.

“Like I told the guys, I want to see how we respond,” Sandelin said. “These games are not fun to be a part of, so we'll see.”

The video replay system at the Mavericks’ arena malfunctioned during the third period Friday, resulting in two missed reviews. Both came with MSU leading 6-0.

The first was a cross-checking penalty by the Mavericks freshman defenseman Campbell Cichosz. Officials were unable to review it for a major penalty, so it remained a minor penalty.

The second cost the Mavericks a seventh goal late in Friday’s game. Based on multiple replays shown on the arena video board, MSU junior center Ondrej Pavel clearly put a puck-top shelf into the net. However, the CCHA officials initially waved off the goal, saying it hit the crossbar. The officials stuck with their original call, and fans let them hear it, even throwing objects on the ice briefly.

"As much as I'm disappointed in how that happens because goals are hard to score, I don't want to put that on the officials because they were told, at that time, that replay was not available,” said Mavericks coach Mike Hastings to the Mankato Free Press after the game. “As hard as that is to explain, that's really what it was."

• Mylymok went from fourth-line to second-line wing on Friday because UMD was without freshman wing Ben Steeves, who missed the game with a lower-body injury. Sandelin said Steeves is doubtful to return for Saturday’s game. The same for freshman forward Jack Smith, who is considered day-to-day, like Steeves. “We need those guys, but we’re not going to take chances right now,” Sandelin said.

• Steeves’ former teammate at Sioux City of the USHL, goaltender Alex Tracy, made his first collegiate start Friday for Minnesota State, stopping 16-of-16 shots. Tracy and Steeves helped the Musketeers win the USHL’s Clark Cup last season.
• UMD junior goaltender Zach Stejskal was pulled 2:47 into the third period after making 26 saves on 32 shots. Senior Matthew Thiessen finished the game and was credited with two saves. 

3. MSU junior defenseman Akito Hirose — Three assists to lead all Mavericks in points on Friday.

2. MSU junior center David Silye — A goal and an assist, he gave the Mavs a 1-0 lead and set up the 2-0 advantage.

1. MSU junior defenseman Jake Livingstone — Hirose’s defensive partner had a goal and an assist, giving the Mavs a 3-0 lead just before the intermission and setting up the fourth goal 2:34 into the second.

Minnesota Duluth 0-0-0—0

Minnesota State 3-2-1—6

First period

1. MSU, David Silye (Cade Borchardt, Akito Hirose), 8:31 (pp)

2. MSU, Josh Groll (David Silye, Connor Gregga), 13:57

3. MSU, Jake Livingstone (Andy Caroll, Sam Morton), 19:55 (pp)

Second period

4. MSU, Borchardt (Livingstone, Hirose), 2:34 (pp)

5. MSU, Will Hillman (Hirose, Mason Wheeler), 19:29

Third period

6. MSU, Sam Morton (Borchardt, Lucas Sowder), 2:47 (pp)

Saves — Zach Stejskal, UMD, 26; Matthew Thiessen, UMD, 2; Alex Tracy, MSU, 00.

Power play — UMD 0-5; MSU 4-7. Penalties — UMD 5-13; MSU 5-10.