WCHA: Minnesota State, Ferris State advance to Final Five championship

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Freshman Cole Huggins had 36 saves Friday to help Minnesota State Mankato beat Bowling Green 4-0 in the first semifinal of the WCHA Final Five.

Bryce Gervais had a goal and two assists for the Mavericks, who will play Ferris State in Saturday's championship game.

Huggins' shutout was his sixth of the season, a school record.

Chase Grant gave MSU a 1-0 lead early in the second period before Gervais scored shorthanded at 12:47 when Bowling Green goalie Tommy Burke misplayed the puck, allowing Gervais to score on a wraparound.

"It was a little miscommunication between the goalie and defenseman," Gervais said. "One of our keys was getting some pressure down there on the penalty kill, and I tried to beat that defensemen to kill a little more time and there it was."

Johnny McInnis made it 3-0 midway through the third period, and Matt Leitner added an empty-net goal for the Mavericks, unbeaten in their past 12 games.

Bowling Green ended the season 18-15-6.

Mayhew beat Anchorage goalie Chris Kamal, who replaced Rob Gunderson after Gunderson allowed four goals on 12 shots through two periods. Kamal had nine saves in the scoreless third period.