Mavericks 3, Huskies 1

Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...

1. Patience pays off: Minnesota State's fans saw no goals in the season-opener and just one through nearly 2 3/4 periods on Friday against Michigan Tech. But the crowd of 3,569 was rewarded with two late goals for an MSU win. The red-hot Zeb Knutson (see my game story below) and Brad McClure — both seniors — scored the goals in the final 5:12 to secure the win. Marc Michaelis scored the other goal, which came just 1:59 into the game. "I think we did a good job getting pucks up top and getting pucks to the net," Knutson said.

2. Turning point No. 1: Midway through the game defenseman Ian Scheid was given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for checking from behind. The Mavericks led 1-0 at the time, and it could have been a time for Tech to take control. Instead, MSU's PK did the job, allowing just two pucks to get to goalie Connor LaCouvee (one on a 3-on-1 rush) and clearing the puck down the ice 6-7 times, including a short-handed rush and shot by Jake Jaremko. The Huskies finished 0 for 5 on the power play with six shots on goal. The Mavericks were 0 for 3 with four shots.

3. Turning point No. 2: The Mavericks had an earlier chance to take a 2-1 lead on a third-period power play, but C.J. Suess' tap-in try into an open net somehow went wide. Moments later, Michigan Tech's  Justin Misiak, who was in the penalty box, scored to tie the game at 3:29. The Mavericks didn't seem to let that bother them too much and they controlled the rest of the period, finally getting Knutson's go-ahead goal. "That's a tough break, but I think we have a lot of character in the locker room and on the bench. There's not much panic. We stayed composed and stayed positive and got back to work to try and get the next one."

Read my gamer here.

Around the WCHA: Cornell 5, Alabama Huntsville 1 ... Michigan State 4, Lake Superior State 3 ... Bowling Green 2, Alaska 1 ... Bemidji State 2, Ferris State 2 (BSU wins in shootout)