OMAHA, Neb. – No. 1 St. Cloud State grabbed an early lead and pulled away for a 5-0 win over the Omaha hockey team on a snowy Saturday at Baxter Arena.
The Mavericks lost their third straight and fell to 9-19-2 overall and 5-14-1-0/1 in the NCHC, putting them eighth. The Huskies clinched the Penrose Cup as regular season NCHC champions with the win, improving to 23-4-3 overall and 15-2-3-1/1 in the conference.
Similar to Friday's game, the Huskies built a 2-0 lead in the first period. Jack Poehling scored at 3:23, and Robby Jackson had one hit the post and then
Evan Weninger's back before trickling home at 6:42.
In the second, Jacob Benson banged in a pass from Nolan Walker at 12:12 to make it 3-0.
SCSU scored twice in the first 4:33 of the third period to squelch any comeback hopes for the Mavericks.
Evan Weninger gave up five goals on 24 shots before giving way to
Alex Blankenburg early in the third period. Blankenburg finished with seven saves in his second appearance of the season.
David Hrenak made 30 saves for St. Cloud State.
The Mavericks will finish the home half of their schedule when they host Denver on Friday and Saturday, March 1-2.
GAME NOTES:
Three Stars: 1. David Hrenak/SCSU – 30 saves, shutout; 2. Robby Jackson/SCSU – One goal, one assist; 3. Blake Lizotte/SCSU – One goal, one assist.
