Benik game winner lifts SCSU Men's Hockey to 3-2 win at Minnesota

Friday, November 27

Minneapolis, MN

6:00 p.m.

St. Cloud State

10-3-0, 5-1-0-0NCHC

University of Minnesota

4-6-0, 0-0-0-0B1G

St. Cloud State

Minnesota

Jimmy Murray

Benik game winner lifts SCSU Men's Hockey to 3-2 win at Minnesota

11/27/2015 7:34:00 PM | Men's Hockey

Box Score

A pair of third period goals lifted #7 St. Cloud State University men's hockey (10-3-0, 5-1-0 NCHC) to a 3-2 win at the University of Minnesota (4-6-0, 0-0-0 B1G) on Friday, Nov. 27 before 10,280 fans at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis.

The Huskies will complete their weekend series in the Cities with the second game at Mariucci against the Gophers at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29. The game will be televised live on Fox Sports North and fans can listen to the game on KCML FM 99.9 (www.lite999.com) or KVSC FM 88.1 (www.kvsc.org).

In the first period of the game on Nov. 27, St. Cloud State's David Morley gave the Huskies a 1-0 lead with his sixth goal of the year at 3:28. His power play marker was assisted by Jimmy Schuldt and Jimmy Murray. This was Morley's 43rd career goal at SCSU.

In the second period, Minnesota tied the game at 15:21 with a power play goal by Jake Bischoff. Vinni Lettieri and Leon Bristedt each had assists on the play. The Gophers gained the lead at 2-1 at 16:31 of the second period with a goal by Leon Bristedt. Tommy Novak and Ryan Collins each had assists on the play for UM.

After outshooting the Gophers 11-5 in the first period, SCSU's offense sputtered in the second period as it was outshot 14-2 by Minnesota.

In the third period, SCSU charged back on offense and tied the contest at 3:05 of the period with a power play goal by Murray. He was assisted on the play by Morley and Niklas Nevalainen. The goal was Murray's fifth of the season.

The Huskies regained the lead at 7:16 of the third period with an even-strength goal by Joey Benik, which made it 3-2. Morley and Patrick Newell had assists on the play for SCSU. This was Benik's eighth goal of the season and it was Morley's 96th career point as Huskies (and his ninth assist of the season). He currently leads the Huskies with 15 points in 2015-16 (6g/14a). Of note, the goal was Benik's 44th goal at SCSU and it was his 90th career point in the cardinal and black.

On the night, SCSU outshot the Gophers 28-26 as Charlie Lindgren made 24 saves in the game (including 12 saves in the second period) to gain his ninth victory of the year. Eric Schierhorn suffered the loss for the Gophers with 25 saves to his credit. On the power play, SCSU was 2-3 and UM was 1-2.

The Huskies will return to action on Dec. 4-5 with a pair of home dates against Omaha at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. The game on Dec. 5 will feature an ugly holiday sweater contest (all fans are encouraged to wear their ugliest holiday sweater to the game). The game will also feature the annual Teddy Bear Toss, which will benefit the St. Cloud area Toys for Tots campaign.

Fans are encouraged to bring a new or gently used Teddy Bear or stuffed animal to the game to throw on the ice during the intermission. All items collected will then be donated to the Toys for Tots program in the St. Cloud area. The game on Dec. 4 will feature an appearance by Santa Claus for the younger fans in attendance. For complete ticket information for these games, please visit www.scsutickets.com or call 1-877-SCSUTIX.