Mankato East hit its low point this season on Dec. 12, after losing its sixth of seven games, that one to Big Nine conference rival Northfield. Three days later, the Cougars fell behind Austin early 2-1 and the dreadful start seemed destined to continue.

However, the Cougars scored three goals in the second period and four goals in the third to emerge victorious by a resounding score of 8-2, thus kicking off a nine-game unbeaten streak that has included eight wins and a 2-2 tie against crosstown rival Mankato West on Thursday night.

The tie is the first time the Cougars have not lost to the Scarlets in 16 games.

Cougars’ coach Adam Fries says that self-confidence has played a major role in the Cougars’ turnaround.

“Just straight up believing in ourselves,” Fries said of his team’s salvaged season. “It took us awhile to understand what our systems are going to do when we execute them.”

Fries also said that he stressed patience to his team after falling behind the Scarlets 2-0 after the first period on Thursday night, and reminded his players that the crowd should not factor into the team’s play.

“(I said) let the crowd do the crowd thing, and let’s wait it out,” Fries said, adding that the Cougars’ goals were a byproduct of his team’s willingness to wait. “After that patience comes, we’re going to score some goals,” Fries added.

The Cougars (9-6-1) scored twice in the second period on goals by senior forwards Judd Schulz and Chase Kunst, and sophomore goalie Jack Cusey made 38 saves to earn the tie.

Senior forward Willie Meyer and sophomore forward Cole Fossen scored in the first period for Mankato West (7-6-2), and junior goalie Jackson Peterson finished with 31 saves.

Schulz has a simple explanation for his Cougars’ nine-game unbeaten streak.

“We just started scoring,” Schulz said. “We changed lines, and my line started clicking."

The line that featured Schulz was difficult to follow throughout the game, as he spent the bulk of regulation and overtime on the ice with a large collection of players as a member of the penalty kill, power play, and top Cougar offensive unit.

“Pretty much everyone is a captain,” Schulz said of his role on the team. “We don’t have three specific captains.”

As for scoring, Schulz has been clicking with whichever line he’s been on in his four years as a varsity regular for the Cougars, breaking the program’s all-time assist record of 90 in a 5-1 win over Eveleth on Dec. 28.

With his career scoring totals at 64 goals and 100 assists after registering one goal and one assist on Tuesday, it’s safe to say that Schulz’s contributions in four years are among the best in Cougar history.

“It’s my last year, so I’m trying to do everything I can,” Schulz said.