Box Score

OMAHA, Neb. – Junior forward #Rich Purslow# scored with 43 seconds gone in overtime to lift the UNO hockey team to a 2-1 win over visiting Minnesota State on Saturday night at Qwest Center Omaha.  The win secured the “Spirit of the Maverick” Trophy for UNO in the annual battle of two teams that share the nickname “Mavericks”.

UNO improves to 9-7-4 heading into the Christmas break while Minnesota State is now 9-9-2.  The Mavericks will now enjoy nearly two weeks off before returning to action in the 2010 Denver Cup on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 1 and 2.  UNO will face #2 Denver in the opener on Friday at 8:35 p.m. CT.  The Mavs will then face St. Lawrence on Saturday at 5:05 p.m. CT.

Purslow's goal came off a face-off in the Minnesota State end.  #Matt Ambroz# had a shot blocked.  The puck ricocheted to #Joey Martin# who got a shot on goal that was stopped by goalie Austin Lee.  The rebound came to Purslow who knocked in his team-leading eighth goal past a sprawling Lee.

For the second time in as many games, the teams played to a 1-1 tie through regulation.  In each game, Minnesota State scored first with the Mavericks answering.  On Saturday, defenseman Kurt Davis got free down the left wing and beat #John Faulkner# with a wrist shot at 6:12 of the first period. 

UNO answered back when #Nick Fanto took a pass from Eddie DelGrosso# and beat Lee with a hard wrist shot just inside the left post with 11:15 gone in the period.

Each team had multiple power plays in the game including extended five-on-three chances but were unable to convert.

Faulkner made 23 saves to improve to 7-5-3 on the year while Lee took the loss with 37 saves.