OMAHA, Neb. - No. 20 Minnesota State earned a series split Saturday night with a 4-1 victory over (RV) Omaha Hockey on Kemp Ice at Baxter Arena.
Omaha was within 2-1 before Minnesota State tacked on a pair of goals in the final 31 seconds.
Alex Tracy, who allowed five goals Friday, was sharp Saturday in net for Minnesota State, making 30 saves.
Omaha (1-1-0) won Friday's opener 6-2 despite being outshot 49-24. Omaha goalie senior
Simon Latkoczy (Trencin, Slovakia), who recorded 47 saves Friday, had 17 saves Saturday on a night when Omaha outshot Minnesota State 31-21.
Omaha had 26 penalty minutes as all five goals Saturday came on the power play.
Much like Friday night when Minnesota State (1-1-0) scored 20 seconds into the game, the visitors took an early lead Saturday.
Evan Murr scored from the slot less than two minutes into the game.
Murr's goal came after Omaha received a five-minute major penalty. Both teams were handed five-minute majors in the first period. Omaha went 0-of-3 on power play opportunities and Minnesota State was 1-of-4 in the opening period. Both teams also had a player receive a game misconduct in the first period.
"Their penalty kill was good and they won special teams tonight," Omaha head coach
Mike Gabinet said.
Minnesota State made it 2-0 with 15:35 left in the second period as Ean Somoza zipped a pass to
Charlie Lurie as he put the puck away.
Latkoczy came through with a couple of quality stops on good scoring chances early in the third period to keep Omaha close. Minnesota State was whistled for another five-minute major midway through the final period, leading to Omaha's lone goal.
Sophomore forward
Maxime Pellerin (Victoriaville, Quebec, Canada) scored on a scrum in front of the Minnesota State net with 6:28 left. The goal initially was disallowed, but the call was overturned on video review.
But about a minute after cutting the deficit to 2-1, Omaha was called for another five-minute major. Minnesota State iced the win with an empty-net goal with 31 seconds left.
Omaha received the Spirit of the Maverick Trophy in the matchup with Minnesota State. It was the first time since 2023 that Omaha claimed the trophy since the series was renewed.
Omaha is off until Friday, Oct. 24 when it hosts UMass as part of homecoming weekend. Tickets are on sale now at OMavs.com/Tickets or by calling 402-554-MAVS.
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