A sleepy effort by the home team combined by a sterling defensive effort by the Tigers allowed No. 19 Colorado College to gain a 1-0 victory and a split of its Western Collegiate Hockey Association series with Minnesota State at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato.
The lone goal of the contest came 2:13 into the second period on a power-play goal by Stephen Schultz. After a point blank shot by William Rapuzzi was turned away by MSU goaltender Phil Cook, the rebound squirted to his right, where Schultz was standing all alone to bury the rebound. Rylan Schwartz was also credited with an assist.
The Mavericks (1-2-3 overall, 1-2-1 WCHA) had a golden opportunity to tie the game in the third period after a kneeing penalty by Schwartz midway through the final frame gave MSU a five-minute man advantage. but as had been the case all night, the Minnesota State power play had little power to speak of.
Just 24 hours after a thrilling 5-4 victory over the Tigers (3-2-1 overall, 1-1-0 WCHA) yielded a 2-for-5 effort on the power play, MSU went 0-for-5 with the extra attacker and had few quality shots to speak of.
Joe Howe made 35 saves in the shutout victory. Cook made 40 stops in a losing effort.
The victory was the first in conference play for the Tigers, who will head home next weekend to host slumping Minnesota. The Mavericks travel to Alaska for a road series with Alaska-Anchorage.
