Mavericks 3, Saints 1 (updated)

Watertown Daily Times photo

Minnesota State stayed out of the box for the most part and got a senior to step up on Saturday night as it defeated St. Lawrence for a weekend split.

Senior forward Justin Jokinen scored the game-winning goal with 4:09 left in the third period, and senior Adam Mueller's empty-netter sealed the nonconference win.

The Mavericks, who went to the box 10 times in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Saints, committed just five penalties on Saturday and were perfect on the penalty kill.

Freshman defenseman Zach Palmquist put MSU up 1-0 with 18 seconds left in the second period, scoring a power-play goal from fellow rookie Matt Leitner. St. Lawrence tied the game at 6:56 of the third, but Jokinen took back the momentum with what would stand as his first game-winner since his freshman year. Evan Mosey assisted on the goal.

In another good sign for the Mavericks, goalie Phil Cook, making his first start since Nov. 26, stopped 29 of 30 shots for his first win of the season. He had struggled in his his previous two regular-season appearances, although he was perfect in one period of action in last week's exhibition game against the Under-18 National Team.

UPDATE: Read coverage of the game from the Watertown Daily Times here.

Minnesota State (6-15-1) finished its nonconference schedule with a 4-4-0 record. From here on out, it's all WCHA action, starting Friday when Wisconsin comes to Mankato.