MANKATO, Minn. – Dominik Shine extended his goal streak to five games, but it was the only goal scored for Northern Michigan University as the Wildcats hockey team fell to No. 18 Minnesota State, 3-1, Saturday night.

While NMU goaltender Mathias Israelsson made a career-high 40 saves, the Mavericks scored two goals in the third period to earn the series split.

The Wildcats struck on their first shot of the game.

Shine began the play when he dished the puck to Gerard Hanson at the side of the net. Hanson gave it right back to him, and Shine sent a low shot just inside the right post from the middle of the circle to give Northern Michigan the early lead 4:43 into the game.

Jon Jutzi tied the game 1-1 just over two minutes later when his point shot beat a screened Israelsson on his stick side.

Minnesota State opened the second period with 58 seconds of a 5-on-3 man advantage after two Wildcats were assessed penalties 20 seconds apart late in the first.

But penalty killers Darren Nowick, Jordan Klimek and Brock Maschmeyer only allowed the Mavericks to take two shots on net, and Klimek cleared the puck the length of the ice with 10 seconds left in the first minor.

Israelsson made 16 saves in the second, a highlight coming when he denied Brad McClure with a glove save after an NMU?turnover with 11:14 remaining.

He also turned aside a Max Coatta stuff attempt in the final minute to send the teams into the final intermission still locked at 1-1.

Margonari’s first goal of the season gave Minnesota State the lead 4:28 into the third. His tally came shortly after Shine nearly connected with Nowick on a rush, but Jason Pawloski sent Nowick’s backhand bid to the corner.

Casey Nelson put the game out of reach with three minutes to go, capitalizing on a 2-on-1 rush.

NMU fell back to .500 at 8-8-6 overall and 6-6-4 in the WCHA. This weekend, the Wildcats begin a six-game homestand with two games against Alaska-Fairbanks.

Information compiled by Senior Sports Writer Craig Remsburg. He can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 251, or via email at cremsburg@miningjournal.net.