MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Craig Smith scored the game-winning goal early in the third period and Scott Gudmandson made 16 saves in the period as Wisconsin held on to beat Minnesota State, Mankato 2-1 on Saturday in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Smith tallied the game-winner at 4:23 of the third period, helping the Badgers (17-8-3, 9-7-2) win for the 10th time in 11 games.

Gudmandson made 34 saves, most of those in the third period. The Mavericks (10-11-5, 4-11-3) outshot the Badgers 35-29.

Jordy Murray scored on the power play to give Wisconsin a 1-0 lead at 12:31 of the first period. It stayed that way until Joe Schiller got the equalizer at 3:44 of the third.

Minnesota State, Mankato goalie Austin Lee faced only four shots in the third period and finished with 27 saves.

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