MANKATO, Minn. — Dominik Shine extended his goal streak to five games, but the Northern Michigan hockey team was clipped by No. 18 Minnesota State, 3-1, Saturday night at the Verizon Wireless Center.

While Mathias Israelsson made a career-high 40 saves, the Mavericks scored two goals in the third period to earn the series split.

The Wildcats struck on their first shot of the game. At 4:43, Shine dished the puck to Gerard Hanson at the side of the net. Hanson gave it right back to him, and Shine sent a low shot just inside the right post from the middle of the circle to give Northern Michigan the early lead.

Jon Jutzi tied the game at one just over two minutes later when his point shot beat a screened Israelsson stick side.

The Mavericks, who outshot the Wildcats by a 12-2 margin in the first, had a chance to pull ahead with just under five minutes remaining when Dylan Margonari beat his man to fire an uncontested shot in tight, but Israelsson sent his try wide.

Minnesota State opened the second period with 58 seconds of a 5-on-3 man advantage after two Wildcats were assessed penalties 20 seconds apart late in the first. But Darren Nowick, Jordan Klimek and Brock Maschmeyer only allowed the Mavericks to take two shots on net, and Klimek cleared the puck the length of the ice with 10 seconds left in the first minor, to keep them from pulling ahead.

Israelsson made 16 saves in the second period, with a highlight being when he denied Brad McClure with a glove save after a Wildcat turnover with 11:14 remaining. He also turned aside a Max Coatta stuff attempt in the final minute to send the teams into the final intermission still locked in a 1-1 tie.

Margonari's first goal of the season gave Minnesota State the lead at 4:28 of the third. His tally came shortly after Shine nearly connected with Nowick on a rush, but Jason Pawloski sent Nowick's backhand bid to the corner.

Casey Nelson put the game out of reach at 17:00, capitalizing on a 2-on-1 rush.

With the loss, which snapped its season-long two-game win streak, Northern Michigan falls to 8-8-6 (6-6-4 WCHA). The Wildcats return to the ice next weekend when they open a six-game home stand against Alaska-Fairbanks. 

NOTES: Minnesota State leads the all-time series, 7-2-3 ... Shine extended his point streak to six games; he has nine points (5g-4a) over that span ... Since December, Shine has had a hand in 12 of 18 Wildcat goals with eight goals and four helpers ... Shine tied Nowick for the team lead in both goals (9) and points (16) ... Israelsson's 40 saves were 11 more than his previous career high, set in his first career start Dec. 12 against Ferris State ... The Mavericks reached the 40-shot plateau both nights; Atte Tolvanen stopped 41 of 42 in Friday's 3-1 win.