NMU Wildcats Philip Beaulieu and Robert Fosdick embrace after the first Wildcat goal of the game against Minnesota State University Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019. (Journal photo by Trinity Carey)

By RYAN STIEG

Journal Sports Writer

MARQUETTE — Some may have scoffed when Northern Michigan University head coach Grant Potulny said that Minnesota State would play better after the Mavericks defeated NMU 3-2 at the Berry Events Center on Friday night.

He also said his team would need a better effort to overcome the WCHA leaders.

The first part happened, but the second didn’t as MSU pumped in four first-period goals to force NMU goalie Atte Tolvanen’s early exit for the first time this season.

The Mavericks cruised to an 8-2 blowout victory that included three goals on power plays. Tolvanen did return in the second period and finished with 14 saves.

“Your gut’s a funny thing,” Potulny said. “Usually, it steers you the right way. I was nervous they were going to play better, but after leaving the pregame speech, I didn’t like our team. I didn’t like the preparation throughout the day to get us to that point.

“You have a feel and as a coach, you have a feel for your guys. I felt like tonight it was going to be very important to start the game quickly and a minute in, they go up 1-0. It’s disappointing.”

It didn’t take long for the Mavs (21-6-1, 16-4 WCHA) to get their motor running as Julian Napravnik got MSU on the board just 1:07 in when he tapped a rebound past Tolvanen.

Northern (13-12, 12-6) didn’t get its first decent scoring chance till about 12:55 left when Luke Voltin got a look in front, but Mavs goalie Dryden McKay made a blocker save.

MSU struck again midway through the period on a power play as Ian Scheid beat Tolvanen to the near post. Less than a minute later, the Mavs made it 3-0 as Jared Spooner gathered a puck in front at 11:01. That was when Tolvanen was pulled for backup Nolan Kent.

The Wildcats answered back 39 seconds later when defenseman Phil Beaulieu fired a blast past McKay’s blocker, but MSU closed out the period with a three-goal lead when Marc Michaelis tucked the puck past Kent’s glove.

“Our discipline was very poor tonight,” Potulny said. “It’s hard when you give up eight goals. It’s hard when you give up four goals and when you give up four in the first period, it’s really challenging. You still have an outside shot…. It was just a continuation after the first period and to be honest, 22 shots. You give up eight goals on 22 shots.”

After returning, Tolvanen played better in the second as he stuffed MSU’s Walker Duehr on a partial breakaway on a penalty kill early and then made a nice glove save on Parker Tuomie with about 12 minutes left.

Tolvanen couldn’t hold off the Mavs forever, though, as Shane McMahan got a rebound past him at the 10:03 mark. About five minutes later, Charlie Gerard found an open net by the far post to make it 6-1.

When asked why he put Tolvanen back in net, Potulny said he just thought Tolvanen gave the Wildcats the best chance to get back into the game.

“Even though he wasn’t seeing the puck very well this weekend, I still think that he gives us the best chance to win,” Potulny said. “I was hoping he would go in and shut the door and give us a chance to claw out of it. That obviously wasn’t the case.”

Northern got a goal back at 16:21 when Connor Frantti sent a pass from behind the net to Grant Loven in front, who then fired it past McKay.

Mankato capping off the scoring with two more goals in the third.

Potulny didn’t mince words when saying where his team is at right now.

“We have to find a way to take a step as a program. Right now, our record says we’re average. I’m not interested in average. It’s time for our program to make that leap and be an above-average team.

“This is a game that you probably just need to flush it.”

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.