As far as exhibition games go, Monday's was a good one for the Mavericks, a 3-1 win over British Columbia. The last two were a little too close for comfort with a 1-0 win over UBC last year and an overtime win over Lethbridge the year before.
Minnesota State outshot UBC 38-19 and got goals from Zach Lehrke, Corey Leivermann and Jean-Paul LaFontaine.
Lehrke made a nice impression. Besides scoring the game's first goal, he was doing things all over the ice -- blocking shots, stealing the puck for a mini-breakaway, making a smart play on a 2-on-1 turned 3-on-1. Unfortunately for the Mavs, those last two plays resulted in saves.
"Being in my second year helps a lot with confidence," the sophomore Lehrke said. "You know you can do more. I think I had a good summer. I came in stronger, maybe a little faster and a little quicker."
Lehrke had two goals and four assists as a rookie. Leivermann, the Mankato native, had three goals and four assists. His goal, which ended up as the game-winner, was a shot from below the goal line that he caromed off the back of the goalie with 18.7 seconds left in the second period.
LaFontaine completed an all-rookie play, scoring from Matt Leitner and Zach Palmquist just after a power play ended. All three were on the power play together, along with Lehrke and Chase Grant.
More in Tuesday's Free Press, which will be jam-packed with hockey stuff.
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