Box Score MANKATO, Minn. – The No. 10/11 Omaha hockey team opened up a three-goal lead and then held on for a 3-2 win over No. 6/9 Minnesota State on Friday night at the Verizon Wireless Center.
UNO improved to 11-6-2 in season openers and has won seven of its last eight season openers.
Kirk Thompson made 24 saves including several tough stops late in the third to preserve the win.
The Mavericks jumped out to the early lead, courtesy of the stick of
Jake Randolph. He converted a pass from
Justin Parizek at 4:34 with
Luc Snuggerud picking up the other assist.
Jake Guentzel doubled the UNO lead late in the first. He converted a drop pass from
Austin Ortega at 18:22 for an even-strength goal.
The Mavericks continued to fire away in the second period, and it didn't take Ortega long to make it 3-0. He flicked home his own rebound just 53 seconds into the frame to make it 3-0.
Minnesota State finally go on the board during its third power play of the game when Jimmy Mullin scored at 13:28 of the period.
Early in the third, MSU closed to within a goal when C.J. Franklin scored at 4:37.
Thompson's best saves of the night came in the last 20 seconds when he stoned Teddy Blueger in tight and then smothered a chance from Bryce Gervais on a netmouth scramble just five seconds later to preserve the lead.
The two teams finish the series on Saturday at 7:07 p.m.
