Going down 3-0 late in the second period, the Fighting Hawks were losing life.
UND decided to challenge Minnesota State’s third goal this past Friday as they thought Maverick forward Adam Eisele had made contact with UND’s Sacha Boisvert’s head a minute earlier.
UND made the right call as the Maverick’s goal came off the board and a major penalty was given.
Minnesota State’s first-line center Adam Eisele was ejected from the game, and UND was awarded a five-minute power play that changed the game.
UND took advantage of the penalty, scoring two goals. The Fighting Hawks went on to win the game after three unanswered goals in the third. UND beat Minnesota State on the road with a score of 3-2 in the series opener this past Friday.
The Fighting Hawks took the lead at 9:09 in the third period. Defenseman Jake Livanavage made an outlet pass to Carter Wilkie, who had open space on the left wing.
UND senior transfer Carter Wilkie made the most of the pass and open space.
Wilkie scored the game-winner, sliding it through Maverick’s goaltender Alex Tracy’s five-hole from the left face-off dot.
“I just looked at the net and shot as hard as I could,” Wilkie said.
UND started slow on their game-changing power play. They headed into the third period with 3:29 left on the man advantage.
Just 40 seconds into the third, senior forward Cameron Berg scored. He slammed it in off a Sacha Boisvert shot that bounced off the end wall and onto his stick.
18 seconds later, Boisvert got the puck behind the net and delivered a dime to Louis Jamernik V in front of the net. The puck hit off Jamernik’s skate, fluttering through the air. Jamernik batted it in out of midair, tying the game 2-2.
“There was a lot of emotion. I lost my voice a little bit,” Jamernik said.
With two apples on the night, Sacha Boisvert has multiple points in each of his first two collegiate games.
Carter Wilkie, who scored the game winner, netted his 44th career goal and his first with UND.
“I’m just excited to get that under my belt here and lose that nerve a little bit,” Wilkie said.
UND junior defenseman Bennett Zmolek was injured and missed out on playing against his old team for a second straight season.
Freshman defenseman Jayden Jubenvil made his collegiate debut with Zmolek out. Jubenvil joined an all-underclassmen defensive corps for UND.
Defenseman Caleb MacDonald stepped up, making a key defensive play blocking a shot with his head. Head Coach Brad Berry said that MacDonald received stitches after the game.
“At the end of the day, it says a lot about sacrificing your body for the team. That’s a big part of the win tonight,” Berry said.
T.J. Semptimphelter was solid in net for UND, making a handful of key saves late to secure the victory. Semptimphelter finished with 23 saves.
Minnesota State outshot the Fighting Hawks 25-22.
Mavericks forward Josh Groll scored both goals for Minnesota State.
Senior center Jake Schmaltz dominated the face-off circle, winning eight of eleven draws. UND finished with a 27-22 advantage in the dot.
UND captain Louis Jamernik V was frustrated with the slow start. “We have to find a way to start like that… to start pissed off,” Jamernik stated.
This was the first win in Mankato for UND since March 8, 2013.
The Mavericks tied the series on Saturday, winning the second game 3-0.
UND returns to Ralph Engelstad Arena on October 25 and 26 for a weekend series against Boston University.
Elijah Andrews is the Dakota Student Sports Reporter. He can be reached at [email protected].
