Jeff Smith pitches shutout in SCSU's 4-0 win at Mankato

Saturday, October 7

Mankato, Minn.

7:07 p.m.

St. Cloud State

1-0-0, 0-0-0NCHC

Minnesota State University - Mankato

0-1-0, 0-0-0-0WCHA

SCSU

Minnesota State

Jeff Smith

10/7/2017 8:26:00 PM | Men's Hockey

Box Score

The #6/9 St. Cloud State University men's hockey team (1-0-0, 0-0-0 NCHC) opened its regular season with a sterling 4-0 victory at #15 Minnesota State, Mankato (0-1-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) on Saturday, Oct. 7. SCSU netminder Jeff Smith claimed the top star in the game with his 42 save shutout.

Smith was perfect throughout the night with 11 saves in the first period, 15 in the second and 16 in the third and final period. This was his first career shutout and the first shutout for the Huskies since a 3-0 win at Western Michigan on Dec. 2, 2016.

In the first period, Jimmy Schuldt opened the scoring with a cannon shot from the blue line that found the upper corner of the net at 11:46. He was assisted on the play by Judd Peterson and Patrick Newell. The goal was Schuldt's first of the year and 19th of his career. Newell led the Huskies with 20 assists in 2016-17 and now has 36 assists in his career. Peterson added his 17th assist of his career on the goal.

The Huskies charged to a 2-0 lead with a goal by defender Jon Lizotte at 3:05 of the second. Lizotte charged the net from his spot at the blueline and beat netminder Jason Palowski for his fifth career goal. Rookie Kevin Fitzgerald added his first collegiate point on the play with the number one assist, while sophomore forward Jake Wahlin added the second helper. Wahlin now has seven assists in his career.

In the third period, SCSU's Jacob Benson pushed SCSU's lead to 3-0 with a marker at 11:08 on assists from Ryan Poehling and Jimmy Schuldt. This was Benson's 16th career goals, while Ryan Poehling now has seven career assists as a Husky. The point was Schuldt's second of the evening and his 28th career assist. To cap the night, Jack Poehling added an empty netter at 17:55 of the third with an assist from Will Borgen. Jack Poehling now has six career goals, while it marked the 23rd career assist for Borgen.

On the night, MSU outshot the Huskies 42-26. SCSU was 0-1 on the power play and MSU was also 0-1 on the power play.

The Huskies will return to the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center on Friday, Oct. 13 and Saturday, Oct. 14 for a weekend home series against the University of Alaska. Action on Oct. 13 begins at 7:37 p.m. and the game on Oct. 14 is scheduled to start at 7:07 p.m. Fans can get tickets for both games by visiting scsutickets.com or by calling 1-877-SCSUTIX.

BATTLE AGAINST BREAST CANCER: SCSU will be wearing pink jerseys on Oct. 14 in order to raise awareness for the good work being down by Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Central Minnesota. The game-worn pink jerseys will then be auctioned off during an in-game silent auction in the HBNHC concourse. Fans will have the chance to make bids on player jerseys with the players presenting their jersey to high bidders after the game. All proceeds from the auction will go to help Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Central Minnesota.