Hockey day

Today's the day, folks. Minnesota State begins its season with an exhibition game against Lethbridge at the Verizon Wireless Center. Mavericks coach Troy Jutting said he's going to sit his most-veteran players in order to have a chance to see all of his freshmen and other young players. Watching from the stands will be forwards Kael Mouillierat, Geoff Irwin, Andrew Sackrison and Zach Harrison and defensemen Kurt Davis and Ben Youds.

There will be seven freshmen in the lineup: forwards Tyler Pitlick, Eriah Hayes and Eli Zuck; defensemen Tyler Elbrecht and Evan Mosey; and goalies Kevin Murdock and Phil Cook.

Forward Brett Peterson, who has been on the roster for two seasons but has yet to appear in a game, is expected to play, and sophomore Joe Schiller will skate as a defenseman for the first time in game action.

Schiller told me yesterday before practice that he likes playing D and that it's a natural switch for him. In fact, the Detroit Lakes native said that had he grown up in a bigger town and a bigger hockey program that he might have been a defenseman from the beginning.

Check back with PucKato later for a live blog on the game.