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Minnesota State University, Mankato
Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Page address: https://web.mnsu.edu/sports/bluelineclub/news/html/hockey_loses_exhibition.html

Men's Hockey Loses Exhibition

Mavericks open season Thursday at Notre Dame, host Irish Saturday

by Dan Myers
Issue date: 10/10/06 Section: Mens Sports

Just one night after taking an embarrassing 8-2 beating at St. Cloud State, the Lethbridge (Ga.) Pronghorns scored just over two minutes into overtime to give themselves the 4-3 exhibition win in front of 2,712 at Midwest Wireless Civic Center Saturday night.

Blake Ward was the star for Lethbridge, stopping 39 shots to earn the victory. But it was two saves - one at the end of regulation, and another just seconds before the overtime winner - that allowed the Pronghorns to gain the victory.

With time running down in the third period, Travis Morin led a 2-on-1 break. But Ward's pad save preserved overtime. Again, in overtime - this time short-handed - Morin led another break. His pass hit freshman Jerad Stewart right on the tape, but Ward made a miraculous save, sweeping his leg across the crease and stopping what was sure to be the game winner.

"In my head I think I was celebrating," Morin said. "But [Ward] got his leg over and we couldn't get the puck up. It's not going to go through his pad."

"He made some great saves," said Mavericks head coach Troy Jutting. "But we need to capitalize on those. We had far too many good opportunities to score more times than we did."

Morin paced the Mavs with a pair of goals and on numerous shifts was clearly the best player on the ice. It was his power-play goal just 1:36 into the second frame - his second of the period - that tied the game at two. But despite numerous opportunities, Morin could not find the hat trick.

"I had plenty of them tonight," Morin said. "I had enough opportunities for everybody, I thought."

Each Maverick net minder played a period; with likely No. 1 stopper Dan Tormey finding time in the second frame. He stopped all eight shots he faced. Senior Chris Clark, allowed the games first two goals - 30 seconds apart - just over seven minutes into the game. Mike Zacharias played in the third period and overtime making 13 saves overall.

Freshman Trevor Bruess scored the Mavs' first goal at 17:49 of the first period to bring MSU within one at the intermission. Newcomers Zach Harrison and Steward earned the assists, with those three highlighting contributions from freshmen.

Although scoring assistance from a freshman is a bonus, as many as eight first-year players will likely see time with the Mavericks in 2006-07. Jutting knows that luxury is a now necessity, at least for this season.

"Some young kids showed they are going to have the ability to play in critical roles," Jutting said, referring to penalty kill and power play work late in the game, typically reserved for more veteran players. "But there are some guys that are going to have to play, just based simply on numbers."

The Mavericks will open their regular season Thursday in South Bend, Ind. against Notre Dame. The first half of the home and home gets underway from the Joyce Center at 7:35 p.m. The two teams will return to Mankato Saturday for a 7:07 p.m face off at Midwest Wireless Civic Center.

Dan Myers is the Reporter Sports Editor

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