Box Score

MANKATO, Minn. – The American International College men's ice hockey team dropped a 1-0 non-conference decision at Minnesota State University Friday night in its first game of the New Year in front of a crowd of 2,493 at the Verizon Wireless Center.

The game was scoreless until senior forward Rylan Galliardi (Calgary, Alb.) lit the lamp with 2:32 remaining in the first period to give the Mavericks (9-8-4) the lead. His power play goal was assisted by senior defensemen Kurt Davis (Plymouth, Minn.) and Ben Youds (Maple Grove, Minn.).

AIC (4-10) had a short-handed opportunity just before Galliardi scored what proved to be the game-winner, but senior defenseman Mike Little (Enfield, Conn.) was denied by sophomore goaltender Phil Cook (Wheaton, Ill.).

MSU dominated play after the first period, but AIC had one last chance to tie the game in the closing minute after pulling sophomore goaltender Ben Meisner (Halifax, N.S.) for the extra attacker, but the shot from senior forward Steve McLeod (Atikokan, Ont.) was off the mark just before the final horn sounded.

Cook recorded 17 saves to improve his record to 8-7-2 and record his first shutout of the season. Meisner's record now stands at 4-8-0 despite an outstanding effort to keep the Yellow Jackets in the game, making a career-high 51 saves.

Shots on goal were 52-17 in favor of the MSU. The shots on goal totals were close in the first period with the Mavericks holding a 15-10 advantage over AIC. The second and third periods were a different story as Minnesota State outshot the Yellow Jackets 37-7 the rest of the way.

MSU finished the game 1-for-5 on the power play, while the Yellow Jackets went 0-for-3 with the man-advantage.

The two teams will meet against Saturday night at Verizon Wireless Center at 8:07 p.m. Eastern, 7:07 p.m. Central.