Freddy's three thoughts of the game:
1. End of the streak: The close-but-no-cigar streak of seven WCHA games (0-5-2) has ended, and in big-time breakout fashion. The Mavericks scored six goals, and five players had two-point games in the victory, the team's first in conference play since Dec. 4 against Minnesota. Michael Dorr scored two goals, while Rylan Galiardi (1G, 1A), Andrew Sackrison (1G, 1A), Kurt Davis (2A), Eriah Hayes (2A) and Adam Mueller (2A) were also in on the action. Chase Grant and Joe Schiller (short-handed) had the other MSU goals. It was the first time the Mavericks scored six since an 8-3 win at UMass-Lowell on Nov. 26. Minnesota State outshot St. Cloud 37-31. Phil Cook stopped 29 shots, including a flurry of great saves in the final minute of the second period.
2. Getting to 4: That headline has nothing to do with the Packers' strategy against the Vikings. It's the number of goals the Mavericks needed. When Dorr and Grant scored 42 seconds apart to make it 3-0 at 1:20 of the second period, it was hard not to think of the Denver game two weeks ago in which the Mavs led 3-0 only to lose 4-3 in overtime. Schiller's goal at 10:58 of the second period was huge. "The key was No. 4," Jutting said. "We talked about that a lot. When you have a team down 3-nothing, they're down but not out." Four goals was enough, but St. Cloud still made things interesting with two goals in the first 3:43 of the third period to make it 4-2. The Mavericks finally breathed a little easier at 13:17 when Sackrison made it 5-2. Dorr finished things off with an empty-netter with 1:38 to go.
3. Killers and blockers: The referees never stopped blowing the whistle in the game, calling 21 penalties on the two teams, including 12 on MSU. The Mavericks killed off 9 of 10 penalty kills and got Schiller's shorty. Add Rylan Galiardi's 5x3 power-play goal in the first period, and the Mavs were +1 on special teams. Cook saved 14 of 15 shots with his team killing, but the defense ahead of him made big stops, too. For the game, the Mavericks were credited with 20 blocked shots. Michael Dorr and Andrew Sackrison likely have the bruises to prove it, too.
They're starting to turn the lights out here at the National Hockey Center. See you in Mankato!
Read the box score here.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Minnesota State at St. Cloud State - Game 2 live blog
Tonight's lines can be found below the Cover It Live box:
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 21-Sackrison 25-Hayes
20-Grant 12-Galiardi 7-McInnis
15-Burkemper 29-Zuck 14-Jokinen
24-Mueller 26-Schiller 9-Louwerse
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 17-Mosey
30-Cook
1-Lee
Scratches: Lehrke, Nelson. Back in Kato: Heath, Karambelas, Leivermann, Peterson
ST. CLOUD STATE
23-Reid 9-Roe 22-Eddy
10-Hanowski 17-Marvin 21-Volpei
11-Festler 19-LeBlanc 26-Dowd
8-Thorson 13-Christian 16-Oslund
25-Lauridsen 4-Johnson
7-Gravel 6-Barta
3-Zabkowicz 14-Jensen
30-Lee
41-Dunn
36-Hardy
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 21-Sackrison 25-Hayes
20-Grant 12-Galiardi 7-McInnis
15-Burkemper 29-Zuck 14-Jokinen
24-Mueller 26-Schiller 9-Louwerse
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 17-Mosey
30-Cook
1-Lee
Scratches: Lehrke, Nelson. Back in Kato: Heath, Karambelas, Leivermann, Peterson
ST. CLOUD STATE
23-Reid 9-Roe 22-Eddy
10-Hanowski 17-Marvin 21-Volpei
11-Festler 19-LeBlanc 26-Dowd
8-Thorson 13-Christian 16-Oslund
25-Lauridsen 4-Johnson
7-Gravel 6-Barta
3-Zabkowicz 14-Jensen
30-Lee
41-Dunn
36-Hardy
Mavs get D commitment
According to Chris Heisenberg's college-hockey recruiting site, Minnesota State recently got a commitment form Albert Junior Hockey League defenseman Mat Knoll. Knoll, a 1990 birthdate from Edmonton, plays for the Spruce Grove Saints. He's a 6-foot-0, 180-pounder who has four goals and 15 assists in 43 games.
He spent the previous two seasons with the Lloydminster Bobcats of the AJHL, compiling eight goals and 28 assists in 112 games.
Someone on the live blog last night was wondering what their D lineup will look like next year. Very different, that's for sure with three players graduating. The vets will be Cooper, Elbrecht, Mosey, Nelson and Heath (one senior, one two juniors, two sophs), with newcomers Palmquist, Stern and Knoll.
He spent the previous two seasons with the Lloydminster Bobcats of the AJHL, compiling eight goals and 28 assists in 112 games.
Someone on the live blog last night was wondering what their D lineup will look like next year. Very different, that's for sure with three players graduating. The vets will be Cooper, Elbrecht, Mosey, Nelson and Heath (one senior, one two juniors, two sophs), with newcomers Palmquist, Stern and Knoll.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Mavericks 3, Huskies 3, OT
Freddy's three thoughts of the game:
1. Open the Dorr: Mavericks junior forward Michael Dorr assisted on all three MSU goals, his best output on the WCHA side of the Shillelagh Tournament. His pass to Ben Youds for the Mavericks' third goal was a smart, head-up play. He easily could have shot the puck or passed into traffic to Justin Jokinen who went to the net, taking defenders with him. But Dorr went to the third man, and that gave the Mavericks the 3-2 lead at 10:06 of the second period. "Mike had a very good game tonight," Mavericks coach Troy Jutting said. "We need Mike to play that way. Mike needs to score for us."
2. Getting the point: The Mavericks got a point, snapping a three-game losing streak. However, their WCHA winless streak is now at seven games. They have had leads in six of those games. "But again, we had a lead, 3-2," Dorr said. "It's disappointing to give up leads. But we'll take what we can get." MSU's 3-2 lead lasted 3:10, as Drew LeBlanc scored his second goal of the game to tie the game. LeBlanc was the hero of the WCHA playoff series between the two teams last year, scoring the Game 3 overtime goal.
3. Crazy save: MSU goalie Phil Cook preserved the tie by stopping four shots in overtime, two minutes of which were spent killing a Kurt Davis penalty. St. Cloud's Garrett Roe nearly won it with a low blast of a shot that got through Cook's pads but caromed off a skate and slipped just wide of the left post. Cook and his counterpart, Mike Lee, each finished with 25 saves. Minnesota State also missed some good scoring chances, as Mike Louwerse and Davis hit posts in the second period and Joe Schiller somehow put a wide-open, close range shot over the goal late in the third. It looked like such a sure thing that the goal judge turned on the red light.
Read the box score here.
1. Open the Dorr: Mavericks junior forward Michael Dorr assisted on all three MSU goals, his best output on the WCHA side of the Shillelagh Tournament. His pass to Ben Youds for the Mavericks' third goal was a smart, head-up play. He easily could have shot the puck or passed into traffic to Justin Jokinen who went to the net, taking defenders with him. But Dorr went to the third man, and that gave the Mavericks the 3-2 lead at 10:06 of the second period. "Mike had a very good game tonight," Mavericks coach Troy Jutting said. "We need Mike to play that way. Mike needs to score for us."
2. Getting the point: The Mavericks got a point, snapping a three-game losing streak. However, their WCHA winless streak is now at seven games. They have had leads in six of those games. "But again, we had a lead, 3-2," Dorr said. "It's disappointing to give up leads. But we'll take what we can get." MSU's 3-2 lead lasted 3:10, as Drew LeBlanc scored his second goal of the game to tie the game. LeBlanc was the hero of the WCHA playoff series between the two teams last year, scoring the Game 3 overtime goal.
3. Crazy save: MSU goalie Phil Cook preserved the tie by stopping four shots in overtime, two minutes of which were spent killing a Kurt Davis penalty. St. Cloud's Garrett Roe nearly won it with a low blast of a shot that got through Cook's pads but caromed off a skate and slipped just wide of the left post. Cook and his counterpart, Mike Lee, each finished with 25 saves. Minnesota State also missed some good scoring chances, as Mike Louwerse and Davis hit posts in the second period and Joe Schiller somehow put a wide-open, close range shot over the goal late in the third. It looked like such a sure thing that the goal judge turned on the red light.
Read the box score here.
Minnesota State at St. Cloud State - Game 1 live blog
Tonight's lines can be found below the Cover It Live box ...
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 29-Zuck 25-Hayes
20-Grant 12-Galiardi 14-Jokinen
21-Sackrison 19-Lehrke 9-Louwerse
24-Mueller 26-Schiller 7-McInnis
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 2-Nelson
30-Cook
1-Lee
Scratches: Burkemper, Heath, Karambelas, Mosey, Leivermann, Peterson
ST. CLOUD STATE
23-Reid 9-Roe 22-Eddy
10-Hanowski 17-Marvin 21-Volpei
11-Festler 19-LeBlanc 26-Dowd
28-MacMillan 13-Christian 16-Oslund
25-Lauridsen 4-Johnson
7-Gravel 6-Barta
3-Zabkowicz 14-Jensen
30-Lee
41-Dunn
36-Hardy
Referees: Tim Walsh, Paul Depuydt. Linesmen: Tony Czech, Dan Dineen
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 29-Zuck 25-Hayes
20-Grant 12-Galiardi 14-Jokinen
21-Sackrison 19-Lehrke 9-Louwerse
24-Mueller 26-Schiller 7-McInnis
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 2-Nelson
30-Cook
1-Lee
Scratches: Burkemper, Heath, Karambelas, Mosey, Leivermann, Peterson
ST. CLOUD STATE
23-Reid 9-Roe 22-Eddy
10-Hanowski 17-Marvin 21-Volpei
11-Festler 19-LeBlanc 26-Dowd
28-MacMillan 13-Christian 16-Oslund
25-Lauridsen 4-Johnson
7-Gravel 6-Barta
3-Zabkowicz 14-Jensen
30-Lee
41-Dunn
36-Hardy
Referees: Tim Walsh, Paul Depuydt. Linesmen: Tony Czech, Dan Dineen
Mavs to play RPI (next season)
We usually have to wait until late spring or early summer to find out Minnesota State's and the WCHA's schedule for next year (why?), but dates usual begin to trickle out through other teams. Rensselaer (RPI) has already put out its season-ticket brochure for the 2011-12 season, and the Engineeers will open their season Oct. 7-8 against Minnesota State in Troy, N.Y. The Mavericks will also host UMass-Lowell at some point, part of the two-year, home-and-home agreement that started with MSU going to Lowell this year.
Minnesota State doesn't have to put out its schedule right now (there are 10 games left in the regular season plus playoffs), but I always thought it would be nice to release it near the end of the season when people still have hockey on their minds, rather than in mid-May, as they did last year, or later.
Minnesota State doesn't have to put out its schedule right now (there are 10 games left in the regular season plus playoffs), but I always thought it would be nice to release it near the end of the season when people still have hockey on their minds, rather than in mid-May, as they did last year, or later.
Friday morning skate
The Mavericks look to break their three-game slide and six-game winless streak in WCHA play when they travel to St. Cloud State today. After this weekend's series, Minnesota State will have just one road weekend left in the regular season.
Speaking of the "road," junior center Joe Schiller has endured quite a journey as an MSU hockey player, going from forward to defense and back to forward. But, it appears, he's found himself an important role on this team. As for the rest of the team, injuries forced the Mavs to make some lineup changes last Saturday in Madison. Coach Troy Jutting said everyone has been cleared to play this weekend but there could still be some changes. Read the Freep's series preview here.
As for the Huskies, "grillmaster" Jordy Christian has helped spark the team's offense. St. Cloud has won six games in a row, dating back to a tournament championship in Florida.
Going around the rest of the WCHA:
Alaska-Anchorage at Minnesota: For the Gophers, they are seeing the domino affect of a goalie going down with injury (the story is similar to the 01-02 Mavs). At the other end of the ice, the Gophers have been instructed to attack the net. ... For the Seawolves, they have their sights on getting home ice in the WCHA playoffs for the first time in their history.
Wisconsin at Michigan Tech: The Badgers are playing well defensively (see last weekend's games against MSU) but a couple of players would like to break out of their goal-scoring slumps. Andy Baggot also has a Q&A with the team's top goal scorer, Craig Smith. ... As for the Huskies, they are trying to find some bright spots in what's now a 20-game winless streak.
North Dakota at Colorado College: The Grand Forks Herald takes a look at North Dakota's top defensive defensemen, both of whom bring a bit of a football mentality to the rink. ... Meanwhile, the Tigers' Tyler Johnson is enjoying a standout senior season, thanks, in part, to a pair of freshmen on his line.
Alabama-Huntsville at Nebraska-Omaha: Omaha is the next stop on the independent Chargers' WCHA tour. While it's a nonconference series for UNO, the red Mavs are looking to gain momentum after last weekend's split at North Dakota.
Off the beats, USCHO takes a look at this weekend's MSU-St. Cloud State series. ... Inside College Hockey also sees St. Cloud starting to make a move.
Be sure to check back later tonight for PucKato's live blog during the Mavericks-Huskies game.
Speaking of the "road," junior center Joe Schiller has endured quite a journey as an MSU hockey player, going from forward to defense and back to forward. But, it appears, he's found himself an important role on this team. As for the rest of the team, injuries forced the Mavs to make some lineup changes last Saturday in Madison. Coach Troy Jutting said everyone has been cleared to play this weekend but there could still be some changes. Read the Freep's series preview here.
As for the Huskies, "grillmaster" Jordy Christian has helped spark the team's offense. St. Cloud has won six games in a row, dating back to a tournament championship in Florida.
Going around the rest of the WCHA:
Alaska-Anchorage at Minnesota: For the Gophers, they are seeing the domino affect of a goalie going down with injury (the story is similar to the 01-02 Mavs). At the other end of the ice, the Gophers have been instructed to attack the net. ... For the Seawolves, they have their sights on getting home ice in the WCHA playoffs for the first time in their history.
Wisconsin at Michigan Tech: The Badgers are playing well defensively (see last weekend's games against MSU) but a couple of players would like to break out of their goal-scoring slumps. Andy Baggot also has a Q&A with the team's top goal scorer, Craig Smith. ... As for the Huskies, they are trying to find some bright spots in what's now a 20-game winless streak.
North Dakota at Colorado College: The Grand Forks Herald takes a look at North Dakota's top defensive defensemen, both of whom bring a bit of a football mentality to the rink. ... Meanwhile, the Tigers' Tyler Johnson is enjoying a standout senior season, thanks, in part, to a pair of freshmen on his line.
Alabama-Huntsville at Nebraska-Omaha: Omaha is the next stop on the independent Chargers' WCHA tour. While it's a nonconference series for UNO, the red Mavs are looking to gain momentum after last weekend's split at North Dakota.
Off the beats, USCHO takes a look at this weekend's MSU-St. Cloud State series. ... Inside College Hockey also sees St. Cloud starting to make a move.
Be sure to check back later tonight for PucKato's live blog during the Mavericks-Huskies game.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Hey All-Star captains: Watch your Backes!
Former Maverick David Backes issued a little warning to this weekend's NHL All-Star captains
"I've already mentioned if I'm picked last there's going to be quite a few body checks thrown," he said. "So that's just a forewarning to anyone picking teams."
Backes, who will be playing in the All-Star Game for the first time, is having a little fun. This year's format has the two captains, the Red Wings' Nicklas Lidstrom and the Hurricanes' Eric Staal, choosing teams -- a la a playground pickup game -- from the pool of All-Stars. Somebody will get chosen last.
Backes leads the Blues with 16 goals and 37 points this season.
UPDATE: The Sporting News did a mock draft and had Backes going in the ninth round, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch did a feature on Backes.
UPDATE: The Sporting News did a mock draft and had Backes going in the ninth round, and the St. Louis Post-Dispatch did a feature on Backes.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Morin to make NHL debut
"I was stuck in the ECHL for awhile," Morin, a former Washington Capitals draft pick, told ESPNDallas. "The first couple years I really didn't know if I'd get a shot in the AHL and I really didn't know how I'd do there. Finally got a shot there and got comfortable. I am going to try to do the same thing here and try to keep it simple."
Dallas plays Edmonton at 6:30 p.m.
UPDATE: Morin played 10 minutes, 7 seconds in Wednesday's game, which the Stars won 3-1. He did not factor in any of the scoring. I'll be curious to see what happens to him next. Dallas is off until Tuesday due to the All-Star break, and the injured players who made room for Morin's call-up likely will be back. Meanwhile, Morin is set to play -- and start -- in the AHL All-Star Game on Monday in Hershey, Pa. No matter what happens, Minnesota State will have to hang another banner in the Verizon Wireless Center sometime soon, putting him with David Backes, Ryan Carter, Tim Jackman, Jon Kalinski, Steve Wagner and Grant Stevenson.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Wanted: Goal scorers (updated)
In today's edition of The Free Press, I wrote this column about Minnesota State's biggest need: goal scorers. The Mavericks were clearly frustrated following Saturday's 2-1 loss at Wisconsin. They were quiet, almost to the point of being speechless. The feeling seemed to be that they couldn't have played any better, with the exception of putting the puck in the net.
The column begins with a discussion with Mike Louwerse following Friday night's 3-2 loss in Madison. Louwerse scored one goal and assisted on the other. It was his fourth goal and fourth assist of the season. Not good enough, he said. "I need to produce." He's not alone.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks have been getting beat, not by fourth-line forwards but by the WCHA's best players, guys who will be on the All-WCHA teams at the end of the year -- Matt Frattin (20 goals), Jason Zucker (17), Craig Smith (15) and Jordy Murray (14), for example.
Here's a list of the WCHA's top goal scorers and -- updated -- the tops from each team, including MSU guys:
WCHA top 10
1. Matt Frattin, North Dakota, 20
2. Jason Zucker, Denver, 17
3. Tyler Johnson, Colorado College, 16
4. T-Matt Read, Bemidji State, 15
4. T-Justin Fontaine, Minnesota Duluth, 15
4. T-Craig Smith, Wisconsin, 15
7. T- Drew Shore, Denver, 14
7. T-Jordy Murray, Wisconsin, 14
7. T-Justin Schultz, Wisconsin, 14
10. T-Matt Ambroz, Nebraska-Omaha, 13
10. T-Mike Connolly, Minnesota Duluth, 13
_____________________________________
Other WCHA teams
16. T-Milos Gordic, Michigan Tech, 11
16. T-Jay Barriball, Minnesota, 11
20. T-Tommy Grant, Alaska-Anchorage, 10
25. T-Ben Hanowski, St. Cloud State, 8
_____________________________________
Other MSU players
38. T-Chase Grant, Minnesota State, 7
38. T-Kurt Davis, Minnesota State, 7
38. T-Eriah Hayes, Minnesota State, 7
53. T-Rylan Galiardi, Minnesota State, 6
76. Four MSU players tied with 4
The column begins with a discussion with Mike Louwerse following Friday night's 3-2 loss in Madison. Louwerse scored one goal and assisted on the other. It was his fourth goal and fourth assist of the season. Not good enough, he said. "I need to produce." He's not alone.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks have been getting beat, not by fourth-line forwards but by the WCHA's best players, guys who will be on the All-WCHA teams at the end of the year -- Matt Frattin (20 goals), Jason Zucker (17), Craig Smith (15) and Jordy Murray (14), for example.
Here's a list of the WCHA's top goal scorers and -- updated -- the tops from each team, including MSU guys:
WCHA top 10
1. Matt Frattin, North Dakota, 20
2. Jason Zucker, Denver, 17
3. Tyler Johnson, Colorado College, 16
4. T-Matt Read, Bemidji State, 15
4. T-Justin Fontaine, Minnesota Duluth, 15
4. T-Craig Smith, Wisconsin, 15
7. T- Drew Shore, Denver, 14
7. T-Jordy Murray, Wisconsin, 14
7. T-Justin Schultz, Wisconsin, 14
10. T-Matt Ambroz, Nebraska-Omaha, 13
10. T-Mike Connolly, Minnesota Duluth, 13
_____________________________________
Other WCHA teams
16. T-Milos Gordic, Michigan Tech, 11
16. T-Jay Barriball, Minnesota, 11
20. T-Tommy Grant, Alaska-Anchorage, 10
25. T-Ben Hanowski, St. Cloud State, 8
25. T-Justin Jokinen, Minnesota State, 8
25. T-Michael Dorr, Minnesota State, 8_____________________________________
Other MSU players
38. T-Chase Grant, Minnesota State, 7
38. T-Kurt Davis, Minnesota State, 7
38. T-Eriah Hayes, Minnesota State, 7
53. T-Rylan Galiardi, Minnesota State, 6
76. Four MSU players tied with 4
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Wisconsin 2, Minnesota State 1
Freddy's three thoughts of the game:
1. Another one-goal loss: If you count games with empty-net goals as one-goal games (which I will do here), the Mavericks extended their winless streak in WCHA games to six games with all of those being decided by one goal or less. "We could probably have an 8-7 game," said Joe Schiller, who scored MSU's lone goal. "Thank goodness we haven't." No, in fact, the broken record is that they played another top-10 team toe to toe, only to fall by a single score. They outshot the Badgers 35-29, including 17-4 in the third period, and they held a high-scoring team to just two goals -- one power-play rebound goal and a breakaway.
2. Frustration setting in? Close but no cigar is obviously getting old for the Mavericks. "We're frustrated for sure," Schiller said. "To play as well as we have, the results have to get there eventually. The message is, we're playing well enough that we will be rewarded." Said coach Troy Jutting: "For 14 games in a row we've been playing really good hockey. I feel bad for the kids. It's frustrating because we're doing things the right way." Said goalie Austin Lee: "The work ethic is there. Everyone's trying and working hard."
3. Lee is solid: While Wisconsin goalie Scott Gudmandson deserved the game's No. 1 star for his 34-save effort, including 16 saves in the third period, MSU's Lee had a great game, stopping 27 shots, including 13 in the second. Lee made a pair of quick, back-to-back saves on a penalty kill before Jordy Murray finally put the third shot under his pad to open the scoring in the first period. On the game-winner, Lee moved out to challenge Craig Smith's breakaway, and nearly had him stuffed. But Smith made a nifty move at the last second and tucked the puck in at the right post for his 15th goal of the season.
Read the box score here.
1. Another one-goal loss: If you count games with empty-net goals as one-goal games (which I will do here), the Mavericks extended their winless streak in WCHA games to six games with all of those being decided by one goal or less. "We could probably have an 8-7 game," said Joe Schiller, who scored MSU's lone goal. "Thank goodness we haven't." No, in fact, the broken record is that they played another top-10 team toe to toe, only to fall by a single score. They outshot the Badgers 35-29, including 17-4 in the third period, and they held a high-scoring team to just two goals -- one power-play rebound goal and a breakaway.
2. Frustration setting in? Close but no cigar is obviously getting old for the Mavericks. "We're frustrated for sure," Schiller said. "To play as well as we have, the results have to get there eventually. The message is, we're playing well enough that we will be rewarded." Said coach Troy Jutting: "For 14 games in a row we've been playing really good hockey. I feel bad for the kids. It's frustrating because we're doing things the right way." Said goalie Austin Lee: "The work ethic is there. Everyone's trying and working hard."
3. Lee is solid: While Wisconsin goalie Scott Gudmandson deserved the game's No. 1 star for his 34-save effort, including 16 saves in the third period, MSU's Lee had a great game, stopping 27 shots, including 13 in the second. Lee made a pair of quick, back-to-back saves on a penalty kill before Jordy Murray finally put the third shot under his pad to open the scoring in the first period. On the game-winner, Lee moved out to challenge Craig Smith's breakaway, and nearly had him stuffed. But Smith made a nifty move at the last second and tucked the puck in at the right post for his 15th goal of the season.
Read the box score here.
MSU at Wisconsin - Game 2 live blog
Minnesota State's lines have been shaken up due to some injuries. Burkemper and Zuck are out; McInnis and Mosey (at forward!) are in. Schiller's been moved to the No. 1 line, among other moves. It looks like Austin Lee will start in goal, too. Check out tonight's lines below the Cover It Live box ...
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 26-Schiller 25-Hayes
20-Grant 21-Sackrison 9-Louwerse
24-Mueller 12-Galiardi 14-Jokinen
17-Mosey 19-Lehrke 7-McInnis
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 2-Nelson
1-Lee
30-Cook
Scratches: Burkemper, Zuck.
WISCONSIN
28-Murray 15-Smith 9-Zengerle
25-Mersch 8-Turnbull 7-Barnes
10-P.Johnson 16-Dolan 23-Lee
20-Little 14-Dahl 13-Hartzog
19-Gardiner 6-Schultz
3-C.Johnson 55-Ramage
4-Springer 27-Simonelli
1-Gudmandson
33-Bennett
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 26-Schiller 25-Hayes
20-Grant 21-Sackrison 9-Louwerse
24-Mueller 12-Galiardi 14-Jokinen
17-Mosey 19-Lehrke 7-McInnis
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 2-Nelson
1-Lee
30-Cook
Scratches: Burkemper, Zuck.
WISCONSIN
28-Murray 15-Smith 9-Zengerle
25-Mersch 8-Turnbull 7-Barnes
10-P.Johnson 16-Dolan 23-Lee
20-Little 14-Dahl 13-Hartzog
19-Gardiner 6-Schultz
3-C.Johnson 55-Ramage
4-Springer 27-Simonelli
1-Gudmandson
33-Bennett
Friday, January 21, 2011
Wisconsin 3, Minnesota State 2
Freddy's three thoughts of the game:
1. The streak within the streak: The Mavericks have been playing good hockey since Thanksgiving and played another close game against a top-10 team in Wisconsin on Friday. They lost 3-2 despite outshooting the ninth-ranked Badgers 39-30. That put MSU at 8-4-1 over their last 13 games. However, they are now 0-4-1 in their last five WCHA games. Three of the losses were by one goal and the two-goal loss included an empty-netter. "I can't fault the kids' effort," coach Troy Jutting said. For the fifth game in a row, the Mavericks scored the game's first goal. They are now 5-4-3 when scoring first.
2. Blame the coach? Whenever MSU takes on Wisconsin lately, we're reminded that it was Mavs coach Troy Jutting who convinced Badgers defenseman Jake Gardiner to switch from forward to D. The junior and first-round draft pick was the best player on the ice on Friday. He scored a power-play goal and, more importantly, showed off his elite skating skills when, after serving up "a pizza" for an MSU 2-on-0 rush, hustled back to break up the play. Wisconsin had just tied the game at 1-all and a goal would have given the momentum right back to the Mavericks.
3. Statistically speaking: Mike Louwerse had a hand in both of MSU's goals, assisting on Andrew Sackrison's power-play goal in the final minute of the first period (Rylan Galiardi also assisted on the play) and ripping a shot from the high slot to make it 3-2 with 5:03 to play in the game (Adam Mueller and Tyler Elbrecht assisted). For Louwerse, it was his fourth goal and fourth assist of the season. That's not enough, he admitted, especially for a team that needs more consistent goal scoring right now. "It's not what I expect of myself or what the team expects of me," he said.
Read the box score here.
1. The streak within the streak: The Mavericks have been playing good hockey since Thanksgiving and played another close game against a top-10 team in Wisconsin on Friday. They lost 3-2 despite outshooting the ninth-ranked Badgers 39-30. That put MSU at 8-4-1 over their last 13 games. However, they are now 0-4-1 in their last five WCHA games. Three of the losses were by one goal and the two-goal loss included an empty-netter. "I can't fault the kids' effort," coach Troy Jutting said. For the fifth game in a row, the Mavericks scored the game's first goal. They are now 5-4-3 when scoring first.
2. Blame the coach? Whenever MSU takes on Wisconsin lately, we're reminded that it was Mavs coach Troy Jutting who convinced Badgers defenseman Jake Gardiner to switch from forward to D. The junior and first-round draft pick was the best player on the ice on Friday. He scored a power-play goal and, more importantly, showed off his elite skating skills when, after serving up "a pizza" for an MSU 2-on-0 rush, hustled back to break up the play. Wisconsin had just tied the game at 1-all and a goal would have given the momentum right back to the Mavericks.
3. Statistically speaking: Mike Louwerse had a hand in both of MSU's goals, assisting on Andrew Sackrison's power-play goal in the final minute of the first period (Rylan Galiardi also assisted on the play) and ripping a shot from the high slot to make it 3-2 with 5:03 to play in the game (Adam Mueller and Tyler Elbrecht assisted). For Louwerse, it was his fourth goal and fourth assist of the season. That's not enough, he admitted, especially for a team that needs more consistent goal scoring right now. "It's not what I expect of myself or what the team expects of me," he said.
Read the box score here.
MSU at Wisconsin - Game 1 live blog
Tonight's lines can be found below the Cover It Live box ...
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 21-Sackrison 25-Hayes
20-Grant 12-Galiardi 19-Lehrke
24-Mueller 26-Schiller 9-Louwerse
15-Burkemper 29-Zuck 14-Jokinen
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 2-Nelson
30-Cook
1-Lee
Scratches: McInnis, Mosey. Back in Kato: Heath, Leivermann, Peterson, Karambelas
WISCONSIN
28-Murray 15-Smith 9-Zengerle
25-Mersch 8-Turnbull 7-Barnes
10-P.Johnson 16-Dolan 23-Lee
20-Little 14-Dahl 13-Hartzog
19-Gardiner 6-Schultz
2-C.Johnson 55-Ramage
27-Simonelli 24-Faust
1-Gudmandson
33-Bennett
Referees: Don Adam, Craig Welker. Linesmen: Dan Carey, Ed Moberg
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 21-Sackrison 25-Hayes
20-Grant 12-Galiardi 19-Lehrke
24-Mueller 26-Schiller 9-Louwerse
15-Burkemper 29-Zuck 14-Jokinen
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 2-Nelson
30-Cook
1-Lee
Scratches: McInnis, Mosey. Back in Kato: Heath, Leivermann, Peterson, Karambelas
WISCONSIN
28-Murray 15-Smith 9-Zengerle
25-Mersch 8-Turnbull 7-Barnes
10-P.Johnson 16-Dolan 23-Lee
20-Little 14-Dahl 13-Hartzog
19-Gardiner 6-Schultz
2-C.Johnson 55-Ramage
27-Simonelli 24-Faust
1-Gudmandson
33-Bennett
Referees: Don Adam, Craig Welker. Linesmen: Dan Carey, Ed Moberg
Friday morning skate
Heading to Sconnie soon, but here's some reading for y'all while I'm driving down to Wisco ...
Minnesota State is hoping to get the bad taste of last weekend's Denver series out of its mouth this weekend. Senior defenseman Channing Boe said he couldn't wait for tonight's game against the Badgers just to move past that pair of blown leads to the Pioneers. But the Mavericks aren't panicking. They're reminding everybody that they played DU toe to toe and are still an impressive 8-3-1 in their last 12 games. There won't be many lineup changes. Expect the forwards to be the same as last Friday and the defensemen to be the same as Saturday.
While the Mavericks have a high-scoring pair of defensemen in Kurt Davis (7 goals, 12 assists) and Ben Youds (4 goals, 11 assists), who have combined for 34 points this year, Wisconsin has the top scoring pairing in Justin Schultz (14 goals, 18 assists) and Jake Gardiner (5 goals, 21 assists). They have 58 points this year, and, unlike Davis and Youds, they usually play together.
Wisconsin State Journal writer Andy Baggot reminds that Gardiner was a forward until his senior year at Minnetonka High School when he switched to D, a move suggested by none other than ... MSU coach Troy Jutting. More from the Madison side of things here.
Going around the rest of the WCHA ...
Minnesota Duluth at Michigan Tech: The Bulldogs, who split with Wisconsin last week, take on the lowly Huskies, who have not won in 17 games (injuries have taken a toll at Tech). UMD is talented offensively but added some grit to its top line.
Alaska-Anchorage at Denver: There's often discussion on this blog about ice time. Well check out how Anchorage's Craig Parkinson spent the end of last Saturday's win over CC (and how he spends his life). As for Denver, there's some great news on Jesse Martin, the player who suffered a broken neck in a game earlier in the season. Not only is he back in school but he's thinking about making a comeback to hockey.
St. Cloud State at Bemidji State: The Huskies and the Beavers are battling (along with MSU) to move up from near the bottom of the WCHA standings. For St. Cloud, it has decided that goalie Mike Lee will be the man and will no longer rotate with Dan Dunn. Bemidji, meanwhile, is back home for the first time in more than a month.
Nebraska-Omaha at North Dakota: This series marks the return of former UND coach Dean Blais to Grand Forks. He did take the visitors' bench once as coach of the U.S. World Junior team last year, but now it's as a WCHA rival. For the Mavericks, they have cooled off after a red-hot start to the season.
Alabama-Huntsville at Colorado College: The Tigers will step out of conference play to take on the independent Chargers. The Colorado Springs Gazette takes a look at the future of Huntsville hockey (and everybody else's with Big Ten hockey looming).
Be sure to check back with the blog later for a live blog/chat during MSU's game against the Badgers.
Minnesota State is hoping to get the bad taste of last weekend's Denver series out of its mouth this weekend. Senior defenseman Channing Boe said he couldn't wait for tonight's game against the Badgers just to move past that pair of blown leads to the Pioneers. But the Mavericks aren't panicking. They're reminding everybody that they played DU toe to toe and are still an impressive 8-3-1 in their last 12 games. There won't be many lineup changes. Expect the forwards to be the same as last Friday and the defensemen to be the same as Saturday.
While the Mavericks have a high-scoring pair of defensemen in Kurt Davis (7 goals, 12 assists) and Ben Youds (4 goals, 11 assists), who have combined for 34 points this year, Wisconsin has the top scoring pairing in Justin Schultz (14 goals, 18 assists) and Jake Gardiner (5 goals, 21 assists). They have 58 points this year, and, unlike Davis and Youds, they usually play together.
Wisconsin State Journal writer Andy Baggot reminds that Gardiner was a forward until his senior year at Minnetonka High School when he switched to D, a move suggested by none other than ... MSU coach Troy Jutting. More from the Madison side of things here.
Going around the rest of the WCHA ...
Minnesota Duluth at Michigan Tech: The Bulldogs, who split with Wisconsin last week, take on the lowly Huskies, who have not won in 17 games (injuries have taken a toll at Tech). UMD is talented offensively but added some grit to its top line.
Alaska-Anchorage at Denver: There's often discussion on this blog about ice time. Well check out how Anchorage's Craig Parkinson spent the end of last Saturday's win over CC (and how he spends his life). As for Denver, there's some great news on Jesse Martin, the player who suffered a broken neck in a game earlier in the season. Not only is he back in school but he's thinking about making a comeback to hockey.
St. Cloud State at Bemidji State: The Huskies and the Beavers are battling (along with MSU) to move up from near the bottom of the WCHA standings. For St. Cloud, it has decided that goalie Mike Lee will be the man and will no longer rotate with Dan Dunn. Bemidji, meanwhile, is back home for the first time in more than a month.
Nebraska-Omaha at North Dakota: This series marks the return of former UND coach Dean Blais to Grand Forks. He did take the visitors' bench once as coach of the U.S. World Junior team last year, but now it's as a WCHA rival. For the Mavericks, they have cooled off after a red-hot start to the season.
Alabama-Huntsville at Colorado College: The Tigers will step out of conference play to take on the independent Chargers. The Colorado Springs Gazette takes a look at the future of Huntsville hockey (and everybody else's with Big Ten hockey looming).
Be sure to check back with the blog later for a live blog/chat during MSU's game against the Badgers.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
You Want Answers 01.20.11
Without further ado ...
From DWebb: What up Shane? I was wondering if you could tell me why the Mavericks can't hold a lead late in a game when playing a ranked opponent? First they blew it against North Dakota and then again this weekend vs. Denver. What's with these hosers?
DWebb, the Mavericks are as frustrated as you are. Channing Boe told me this week that he'd almost rather get his butt kicked than lose the way they did on Saturday. I'm not sure if I totally believe that. The truth is that they had leads on arguably the two best teams in the country and couldn't hold them off. Five points were left on the table in the Friday loss to UND and the two games against DU. The second game against the Sioux was winnable, too. One thing to consider is who made the key plays for those top teams. They were guys like Matt Frattin, Brad Malone and Chay Genoway for UND and Jason Zucker and the Shore brothers for DU. Those are players are difference makers, players you're going to see on the all-WCHA teams at the end of the year.
From Sam: What are the chances MSU is, or will be, recruiting scoring-sensation Ville Rantanen of Mankato West? I haven't seen him play, but does he appear to have the talent to be successful at the D1 level?
Sam there's no question he can score. He leads the state with 37 goals and is in a three-way tie for the state points lead with 58. I don't know if MSU is recruiting him or not (although with Troy Jutting's son on the West team, the coach has no doubt seen him play). I'm told that he's gotten interest from some colleges. At the very least, coaches/recruiters have to see the numbers and find out about him. Some have said the numbers are inflated due to playing in southern Minnesota. That may be, but 37 goals is impressive. He has great hands and a knack for the net. If he does play D1, he'll have to play junior hockey somewhere first. He not only needs to further develop his game, especially defensively, but he has to bulk up a bit.
From Nation: What have the Mavericks been focusing on at practice this week in preparation for the Badgers? Anything specific they feel they did poorly that cost them against Denver?
Nation, I think they'd like to look at what they're doing and go with a glass-half-full attitude. After all, they are 8-3-1 in their last 12 games and the non-wins have come against the best two teams in the country. So they're not re-tooling too much. Boe told me this week that they've been doing some "Hockey 101" stuff, working on situational things, such as defending 6x5 with the goalie pulled, some of which cost them over the weekend. From there, though, they're moving on and trying to gameplan for another tough team in Wisconsin.
From Alex: Hey Shane, do you know if they are bringing in any more recruits for next year?
Alex, I know they're looking for another defenseman for next year. Other than that, though, I think their class is pretty well set.
From PM: Where have all the Canadians gone? What happened to that Alberta pipeline? The team used to be about half and half. Now, we're down to two and one of those is a goalie. What gives?
PM, it is interesting that the only Canadians on the roster include one who played junior hockey in Minnesota (Galiardi) and the third-string goalie, although Boston native John McInnis played juniors in Canada. I don't think the roster was ever half and half; it was and remains heavily Minnesotan. I'm not sure what the reason is but I do think one factor is that MSU is getting much more USHL players than they did back when they got more Canadians. While they have found some good players in the NAHL, too, including Galiardi and Phil Cook, you need to get USHL players. It's the best college development league out there. That said, I know the coaches have been to Canada on recruiting trips.
From Chad: Is there anyone signed or coming in that can play D? Been a season ticket holder for years but never been as frustrated with the D as I have been this year.
Chad, as a longtime season-ticker holder surely you remember 2003-04. Now that was a tough year on defensemen. I'm not sure why you'd be more frustrated this year. The results over the weekend can't be pinned on the D alone. You're probably going to miss this group of seniors when it's gone. Davis is going to end up as one of the D1 era's all-time leading scorers (certainly tops among D1 defensemen), Youds is a do-it-all player and a tremendous skater. Both of those guys should get some all-conference consideration at season's end. Boe is coming off a solid weekend. Don't judge them solely on plus-minus. As to your original question, though, the coaches are excited about Zach Palmquist coming, and feel that Brett Stern will be a solid defensive D-man.
From LetsGoMavs: Do you have an "in" at all with the music guy? The way-too-long, lame intro needs to go. Shorten it up and get a better song! Oh, and I imagining things or are there two different ones for each night? ... Also, on a side note, Channing Boe totally got hosed by the WCHA. He deserved to be D of the week, not just nominated. BOO WCHA!
LetsGoMavs, first of all, it's just fine that you ask these questions (leave LGM alone, Nation!). I think I got frustrated one time when an entire live blog seemed to have been taken up with music-related questions. ... Anyway, I do not have an "in" with the music guy, but let me say this: If I were in charge, I'd send anyone who does game-production stuff (music, video, lighting, between-period stuff, pep bands, etc.) on a WCHA road trip and see how things should be done. Want the pep band back? Go to Michigan Tech and see a small school that does it right. Want cool video? Send city/arena folks to St. Cloud and North Dakota and see what it needs to look like. I think people are trying hard in Mankato but there's a ways to go. What does Mankato do well? Great rink announcer in T.J., almost always fabulous National Anthem singers, good intermission promotions on the ice and, yes, the "Ole!" song.
As for Boe, I agree that he had a good weekend (and yes, he was on the ice for the game-tying and game-winning goals Saturday). If MSU had won on Saturday and had gotten three points instead of one, I think there's a good chance he would have gotten the award. If you look at the awards every week, you'll notice that the team's success is the x-factor. The great individual performance usually has to help a team win.
From BIGhkyfan: As far as new D coming in, we could start by playing the ones on the bench and in the stands. Seems player management is an issue this season and it is never addressed by the media. Why is that?
BIGhkyfan, I know D minutes are your pet issue but I don't quite see it the way you do. You want your best D on the ice the most. They're going to get the most minutes, no matter what level of hockey you're watching. I wish college hockey kept stats like the NHL does (all-stars Dan Boyle and Duncan Keith lead the NHL in minutes per game with 27:01 and 26:41, respectively!) If it's late in a close game right now and someone other than the top four D are on the ice for a regular or long shift, then I think there "player management" issues. Youds plays probably 23-25 minutes a game. Davis is up there, too, with Boe and Elbrecht. Cooper has gotten more responsibility out there and had improved. As for the sixth D, it looks like it's a combination of Nelson and Mosey right now.
From DWebb: What up Shane? I was wondering if you could tell me why the Mavericks can't hold a lead late in a game when playing a ranked opponent? First they blew it against North Dakota and then again this weekend vs. Denver. What's with these hosers?
DWebb, the Mavericks are as frustrated as you are. Channing Boe told me this week that he'd almost rather get his butt kicked than lose the way they did on Saturday. I'm not sure if I totally believe that. The truth is that they had leads on arguably the two best teams in the country and couldn't hold them off. Five points were left on the table in the Friday loss to UND and the two games against DU. The second game against the Sioux was winnable, too. One thing to consider is who made the key plays for those top teams. They were guys like Matt Frattin, Brad Malone and Chay Genoway for UND and Jason Zucker and the Shore brothers for DU. Those are players are difference makers, players you're going to see on the all-WCHA teams at the end of the year.
From Sam: What are the chances MSU is, or will be, recruiting scoring-sensation Ville Rantanen of Mankato West? I haven't seen him play, but does he appear to have the talent to be successful at the D1 level?
Sam there's no question he can score. He leads the state with 37 goals and is in a three-way tie for the state points lead with 58. I don't know if MSU is recruiting him or not (although with Troy Jutting's son on the West team, the coach has no doubt seen him play). I'm told that he's gotten interest from some colleges. At the very least, coaches/recruiters have to see the numbers and find out about him. Some have said the numbers are inflated due to playing in southern Minnesota. That may be, but 37 goals is impressive. He has great hands and a knack for the net. If he does play D1, he'll have to play junior hockey somewhere first. He not only needs to further develop his game, especially defensively, but he has to bulk up a bit.
From Nation: What have the Mavericks been focusing on at practice this week in preparation for the Badgers? Anything specific they feel they did poorly that cost them against Denver?
Nation, I think they'd like to look at what they're doing and go with a glass-half-full attitude. After all, they are 8-3-1 in their last 12 games and the non-wins have come against the best two teams in the country. So they're not re-tooling too much. Boe told me this week that they've been doing some "Hockey 101" stuff, working on situational things, such as defending 6x5 with the goalie pulled, some of which cost them over the weekend. From there, though, they're moving on and trying to gameplan for another tough team in Wisconsin.
From Alex: Hey Shane, do you know if they are bringing in any more recruits for next year?
Alex, I know they're looking for another defenseman for next year. Other than that, though, I think their class is pretty well set.
From PM: Where have all the Canadians gone? What happened to that Alberta pipeline? The team used to be about half and half. Now, we're down to two and one of those is a goalie. What gives?
PM, it is interesting that the only Canadians on the roster include one who played junior hockey in Minnesota (Galiardi) and the third-string goalie, although Boston native John McInnis played juniors in Canada. I don't think the roster was ever half and half; it was and remains heavily Minnesotan. I'm not sure what the reason is but I do think one factor is that MSU is getting much more USHL players than they did back when they got more Canadians. While they have found some good players in the NAHL, too, including Galiardi and Phil Cook, you need to get USHL players. It's the best college development league out there. That said, I know the coaches have been to Canada on recruiting trips.
From Chad: Is there anyone signed or coming in that can play D? Been a season ticket holder for years but never been as frustrated with the D as I have been this year.
Chad, as a longtime season-ticker holder surely you remember 2003-04. Now that was a tough year on defensemen. I'm not sure why you'd be more frustrated this year. The results over the weekend can't be pinned on the D alone. You're probably going to miss this group of seniors when it's gone. Davis is going to end up as one of the D1 era's all-time leading scorers (certainly tops among D1 defensemen), Youds is a do-it-all player and a tremendous skater. Both of those guys should get some all-conference consideration at season's end. Boe is coming off a solid weekend. Don't judge them solely on plus-minus. As to your original question, though, the coaches are excited about Zach Palmquist coming, and feel that Brett Stern will be a solid defensive D-man.
From LetsGoMavs: Do you have an "in" at all with the music guy? The way-too-long, lame intro needs to go. Shorten it up and get a better song! Oh, and I imagining things or are there two different ones for each night? ... Also, on a side note, Channing Boe totally got hosed by the WCHA. He deserved to be D of the week, not just nominated. BOO WCHA!
LetsGoMavs, first of all, it's just fine that you ask these questions (leave LGM alone, Nation!). I think I got frustrated one time when an entire live blog seemed to have been taken up with music-related questions. ... Anyway, I do not have an "in" with the music guy, but let me say this: If I were in charge, I'd send anyone who does game-production stuff (music, video, lighting, between-period stuff, pep bands, etc.) on a WCHA road trip and see how things should be done. Want the pep band back? Go to Michigan Tech and see a small school that does it right. Want cool video? Send city/arena folks to St. Cloud and North Dakota and see what it needs to look like. I think people are trying hard in Mankato but there's a ways to go. What does Mankato do well? Great rink announcer in T.J., almost always fabulous National Anthem singers, good intermission promotions on the ice and, yes, the "Ole!" song.
As for Boe, I agree that he had a good weekend (and yes, he was on the ice for the game-tying and game-winning goals Saturday). If MSU had won on Saturday and had gotten three points instead of one, I think there's a good chance he would have gotten the award. If you look at the awards every week, you'll notice that the team's success is the x-factor. The great individual performance usually has to help a team win.
From BIGhkyfan: As far as new D coming in, we could start by playing the ones on the bench and in the stands. Seems player management is an issue this season and it is never addressed by the media. Why is that?
BIGhkyfan, I know D minutes are your pet issue but I don't quite see it the way you do. You want your best D on the ice the most. They're going to get the most minutes, no matter what level of hockey you're watching. I wish college hockey kept stats like the NHL does (all-stars Dan Boyle and Duncan Keith lead the NHL in minutes per game with 27:01 and 26:41, respectively!) If it's late in a close game right now and someone other than the top four D are on the ice for a regular or long shift, then I think there "player management" issues. Youds plays probably 23-25 minutes a game. Davis is up there, too, with Boe and Elbrecht. Cooper has gotten more responsibility out there and had improved. As for the sixth D, it looks like it's a combination of Nelson and Mosey right now.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
You Want Answers?!?!
It's that time again: Time to answer you questions about MSU hockey -- and anything else on your mind, really. Just ask your question in the comments section of this blog post, and I'll answer them in a new post on Thursday afternoon/evening.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Pioneers 4, Mavericks 3 - overtime
Freddy's three thoughts of the game:
1. They let them off the hook! Minnesota State should have won three, maybe four points against Denver this weekend but it simply couldn't put the sixth-ranked Pioneers away. On Friday, the Mavericks led 4-3 with 1:47 to play and ended up setting for an overtime tie. On Saturday, they were up 3-0 early in the second period, and Denver scored four unanswered goals, including Dustin Jackson's wide-open shot in front of goalie Phil Cook just 21 seconds into overtime and lost. In this stretch of good play -- now 8-3-1 in their last 12 games -- the Mavericks couldn't close out two of the WCHA's best teams, North Dakota and Denver, and got one point in those four home games when they should have gotten five or six.
2. Not enough goals? The theme all around the locker rooms after the game was not the comeback as much as it was the Mavericks' failed scoring opportunities early in the third period. Michael Dorr put a 2-on-1 shot right into the belly of goalie Adam Murray, and John McInnis and Justin Jokinen fired wide on rushes when shots on net could have resulted in goals, rebounds, sustained pressure, etc. Dorr, Troy Jutting and DU coach George Gwozdecky all agreed that there would have been no comeback had the Mavericks been able to make it 4-1. As it turned out, the Pioneers went "all in" and talented freshmen Nick Shore and Jason Zucker scored two minutes apart to tie the game by the 13:31 mark of the third period.
3. Dangerous (as usual) but how deadly? The loss dropped the Mavericks to a tie for 10th place in the WCHA standings but Gwozdecky called them "a terrific team that deserved" to be on a hot streak. "They gave us all they wanted and more throughout the weekend," he said. "We were very fortunate." Cook was solid in goal, and Chase Grant, Channing Boe and Eriah Hayes had goals on Saturday to cap good weekends. But Minnesota State doesn't have a Jason Zucker or the Shore brothers or even an Anthony Maiani right now. There's no doubt that opponents will respect MSU over the rest of the season, starting next week with Wisconsin, but can the Mavericks score some big wins over the rest of the season and avoid a playoff series at Denver or North Dakota?
See Saturday's box score here.
1. They let them off the hook! Minnesota State should have won three, maybe four points against Denver this weekend but it simply couldn't put the sixth-ranked Pioneers away. On Friday, the Mavericks led 4-3 with 1:47 to play and ended up setting for an overtime tie. On Saturday, they were up 3-0 early in the second period, and Denver scored four unanswered goals, including Dustin Jackson's wide-open shot in front of goalie Phil Cook just 21 seconds into overtime and lost. In this stretch of good play -- now 8-3-1 in their last 12 games -- the Mavericks couldn't close out two of the WCHA's best teams, North Dakota and Denver, and got one point in those four home games when they should have gotten five or six.
2. Not enough goals? The theme all around the locker rooms after the game was not the comeback as much as it was the Mavericks' failed scoring opportunities early in the third period. Michael Dorr put a 2-on-1 shot right into the belly of goalie Adam Murray, and John McInnis and Justin Jokinen fired wide on rushes when shots on net could have resulted in goals, rebounds, sustained pressure, etc. Dorr, Troy Jutting and DU coach George Gwozdecky all agreed that there would have been no comeback had the Mavericks been able to make it 4-1. As it turned out, the Pioneers went "all in" and talented freshmen Nick Shore and Jason Zucker scored two minutes apart to tie the game by the 13:31 mark of the third period.
3. Dangerous (as usual) but how deadly? The loss dropped the Mavericks to a tie for 10th place in the WCHA standings but Gwozdecky called them "a terrific team that deserved" to be on a hot streak. "They gave us all they wanted and more throughout the weekend," he said. "We were very fortunate." Cook was solid in goal, and Chase Grant, Channing Boe and Eriah Hayes had goals on Saturday to cap good weekends. But Minnesota State doesn't have a Jason Zucker or the Shore brothers or even an Anthony Maiani right now. There's no doubt that opponents will respect MSU over the rest of the season, starting next week with Wisconsin, but can the Mavericks score some big wins over the rest of the season and avoid a playoff series at Denver or North Dakota?
See Saturday's box score here.
MSU vs. Denver - Game 2 live blog
A few lineup changes tonight as McInnis (for Lehrke) and Nelson (for Mosey) are in for the Mavs. Denver has made a few changes, too. See lines below the Cover It Live box ...
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 21-Sackrison 25-Hayes
20-Grant 12-Galiardi 7-McInnis
24-Mueller 26-Schiller 9-Louwerse
15-Burkemper 29-Zuck 14-Jokinen
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 2-Nelson
30-Cook
1-Lee
35-Karambelas
Scratches: Heath, Lehrke, Leivermann, Mosey, Peterson
DENVER
17-Zucker 15-D.Shore 18-Salazar
19-Bennett 23-N.Shore 26-Ostrow
16-Maiani 19-Ostrow 8-Jackson
12-Mermis 37-Dewhurst 27-Olszewski
4-Donovan 6-Nutini
24-Ryder 10-Makowski
7-Phillips 5-Lee
33-Mmurray
1-Brittain
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 21-Sackrison 25-Hayes
20-Grant 12-Galiardi 7-McInnis
24-Mueller 26-Schiller 9-Louwerse
15-Burkemper 29-Zuck 14-Jokinen
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 2-Nelson
30-Cook
1-Lee
35-Karambelas
Scratches: Heath, Lehrke, Leivermann, Mosey, Peterson
DENVER
17-Zucker 15-D.Shore 18-Salazar
19-Bennett 23-N.Shore 26-Ostrow
16-Maiani 19-Ostrow 8-Jackson
12-Mermis 37-Dewhurst 27-Olszewski
4-Donovan 6-Nutini
24-Ryder 10-Makowski
7-Phillips 5-Lee
33-Mmurray
1-Brittain
Friday, January 14, 2011
Mavericks 4, Pioneers 4 - OT
Freddy's three thoughts of the game:
1. Different team: This is a much different MSU team than the one that lost 6-1 at Denver on Nov. 13. The tie put the Mavericks at 8-2-1 since that night. They played toe to toe with the high-powered Pioneers, outshooting them 30-28 and holding leads (some brief) of 1-0, 3-2 and 4-3. Denver led 2-1 for just 24 seconds late in the second period. Denver slipped a spot to a tie for No. 5 in the Pairwise Rankings. MSU bumped up to a tie for 21st. Said MSU captain Rylan Galiardi: "Looking at that game, it's tough to tell who's No. 4 and who's No. 22 (referring to the PWR before the game). But maybe that was the difference in the end. They found a way to tie it, and we didn't find a way to shut them down."
2. So close: Justin Jokinen's goal with 1:47 to play put the Mavericks up 4-3. Denver immediately called timeout and found a way to get goalie Sam Brittain off for an extra attacker shortly after the ensuing faceoff. Denver threw the kitchen sink at Phil Cook, and Kyle Ostrow knotted the game just 33 seconds after Jokinen's goal. The Mavericks simply couldn't clear the zone when they had the chance, and Anthony Maiani got the puck to Ostrow, who took a couple of whacks at the puck before finally putting it in.
3. Getting in on the action: The Mavericks' defensemen have been doing so much scoring lately that it was finally Channing Boe's turn to get in on the action. Boe scored from the top of the left circle at 9:04 of the third period to give MSU a 3-2 lead. It was his first goal of the season and first since Jan. 9, 2010. The senior now has four career goals. But Boe might have had his best defensive game of the season, too. "He's a big kid, and he played big and played solid," coach Troy Jutting said. Chase Grant and Eli Zuck were the other goal scorers for the Mavs. Zuck tied the game at 2-all with 1:48 left in the second period, just 24 seconds after Jason Zucker scored for Denver.
Read the box score here.
1. Different team: This is a much different MSU team than the one that lost 6-1 at Denver on Nov. 13. The tie put the Mavericks at 8-2-1 since that night. They played toe to toe with the high-powered Pioneers, outshooting them 30-28 and holding leads (some brief) of 1-0, 3-2 and 4-3. Denver led 2-1 for just 24 seconds late in the second period. Denver slipped a spot to a tie for No. 5 in the Pairwise Rankings. MSU bumped up to a tie for 21st. Said MSU captain Rylan Galiardi: "Looking at that game, it's tough to tell who's No. 4 and who's No. 22 (referring to the PWR before the game). But maybe that was the difference in the end. They found a way to tie it, and we didn't find a way to shut them down."
2. So close: Justin Jokinen's goal with 1:47 to play put the Mavericks up 4-3. Denver immediately called timeout and found a way to get goalie Sam Brittain off for an extra attacker shortly after the ensuing faceoff. Denver threw the kitchen sink at Phil Cook, and Kyle Ostrow knotted the game just 33 seconds after Jokinen's goal. The Mavericks simply couldn't clear the zone when they had the chance, and Anthony Maiani got the puck to Ostrow, who took a couple of whacks at the puck before finally putting it in.
3. Getting in on the action: The Mavericks' defensemen have been doing so much scoring lately that it was finally Channing Boe's turn to get in on the action. Boe scored from the top of the left circle at 9:04 of the third period to give MSU a 3-2 lead. It was his first goal of the season and first since Jan. 9, 2010. The senior now has four career goals. But Boe might have had his best defensive game of the season, too. "He's a big kid, and he played big and played solid," coach Troy Jutting said. Chase Grant and Eli Zuck were the other goal scorers for the Mavs. Zuck tied the game at 2-all with 1:48 left in the second period, just 24 seconds after Jason Zucker scored for Denver.
Read the box score here.
Minnesota State vs. Denver - Game 1 live blog
Lines are posted below the Cover It Live box ...
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 21-Sackrison 25-Hayes
20-Grant 12-Galiardi 19-Lehrke
24-Mueller 26-Schiller 9-Louwerse
15-Burkemper 29-Zuck 14-Jokinen
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 17-Mosey
30-Cook
1-Lee
35-Karambelas
Scratches: Heath, Leivermann, McInnis, Nelson, Peterson
DENVER
17-Zucker 15-D.Shore 18-Salazar
16-Maiani 23-N.Shore 19-Ostrow
9-Bennett 37-Dewhurst 8-Jackson
20-Brehm 27-Olszewski 3-Cook
4-Donovan 6-Nutini
24-Ryder 10-Makowski
7-Phillips 5-Lee
1-Brittain
33-Murray
Referees: Bokal, Mousseaux. Linesmen: Krieger, Schultz.
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 21-Sackrison 25-Hayes
20-Grant 12-Galiardi 19-Lehrke
24-Mueller 26-Schiller 9-Louwerse
15-Burkemper 29-Zuck 14-Jokinen
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 17-Mosey
30-Cook
1-Lee
35-Karambelas
Scratches: Heath, Leivermann, McInnis, Nelson, Peterson
DENVER
17-Zucker 15-D.Shore 18-Salazar
16-Maiani 23-N.Shore 19-Ostrow
9-Bennett 37-Dewhurst 8-Jackson
20-Brehm 27-Olszewski 3-Cook
4-Donovan 6-Nutini
24-Ryder 10-Makowski
7-Phillips 5-Lee
1-Brittain
33-Murray
Referees: Bokal, Mousseaux. Linesmen: Krieger, Schultz.
Friday morning skate
Sorry to be a little lax on the blog. I've had some computer issues and haven't had much access over the last two days. That being said, it's time to this weekend's hockey games ...
The Mavericks open the second half of the WCHA season by hosting sixth-ranked Denver. The Pioneers are also tie for fourth in the Pairwise Rankings, and this is the time of year when we start paying attention to those rankings, much more than we do the human poll. Minnesota State, having won eight of its last 10 (all since getting swept at Denver in November) are tied for 22nd in the Pairwise.
Minnesota State appears to have everybody available and is expected to go with the lineup that won them the Shillelagh Tournament in Chicago as well as the first game last weekend against American International. That group includes three freshmen -- Chase Grant, Zach Lehrke and J.P. Burkemper -- of a class that's been off to a solid start this season. Grant is on pace for a 21-point season, which would be the second-best output by a freshman in the last six seasons. Read more of The Free Press' series preview here.
Denver, meanwhile, is coming off an idle weekend, which gave star forwards Drew Shore and Jason Zucker a chance to rest following their bronze medal-winning performance in the World Junior Championships. In other Pios news, goalies Sam Brittain and Adam Murray are expected to split time this weekend.
Going around the rest of the WCHA ...
Minnesota at North Dakota: This rivalry is so big that each team has a captain back for his fifth year (OK maybe it's not because of the rivalry). The Gophers headed to Grand Forks on the heels of learning that goalie Alex Kangas' career is over due to hip surgery. Minnesota is also hoping its WJC participants will help give it a boost. ... The Grand Forks Herald is giving this series some mega-coverage, writing about how the games will be viewed around the country, that extra security will be on hand for the series after an incident between fans the last time the teams met and how good the Sioux have been in the 10 years Ralph Engelstad Arena has been open. Whew! Oh, on the ice, you can read more about the second-ranked Sioux on Brad Schlossman's outstanding hockey blog here.
Wisconsin at Minnesota Duluth: The Bulldogs host the Badgers in a big series for both of these top-10 teams. For Duluth, senior Justin Fontaine is set to break into the program's top 25 all-time scorers. That's pretty good company. Also, the Bulldogs are hoping their second half of the season can be as strong as their first. ... As for Wisconsin, the Badgers have the top goaltender in the WCHA, if not the nation, in Scott Gudmandson. And he's doing it with less fanfare than some other big names in Wisco goaltending history.
Bemidji State at Nebraska-Omaha: This is the second meeting between the WCHA's two newest teams. The last time they faced off, the Beavers cooled off the red-hot red Mavericks (they were reanked fourth in the country that weekend) with a sweep. Needless to say, Omaha is seeking some payback this weekend. ... As for Bemidji, it feels like it's got a real rivalry with UNO.
Colorado College at Alaska-Anchorage: Colorado College has the top offense in the WCHA, and is doing it without their top scorer, freshman Jaden Schwartz, who is out until February with a fractured ankle suffered in the WJC. ... As for the Seawolves, they feel like they had a solid first half (they're tied with MSU in the WCHA standings) with several close games. Now can they bounce back after a 34-day break between games?
St. Lawrence at Michigan Tech: Interesting matchup between the first two teams Minnesota State played this season. Remember that the Mavericks tied St. Lawrence twice in Mankato and lost and tied at Tech. St. Lawrence has had an up-and-down season since then. They are 6-10-3 but have an upset win over New Hampshire in there. The Huskies, meanwhile, have not won since beating MSU, going winless in 16 straight games, including 15 losses in a row.
Other WCHA previews: INCH, USCHO (and here) and College Hockey News.
In other college hockey ramblings, Gustavus Adolphus women's hockey coach Mike Carroll is going for his 250th career win tonight when the seventh-ranked Gusties host eighth-ranked Trinity in St. Peter, Minn.
Don't forget to check back on PucKato this evening for live coverage of MSU's game against Denver.
The Mavericks open the second half of the WCHA season by hosting sixth-ranked Denver. The Pioneers are also tie for fourth in the Pairwise Rankings, and this is the time of year when we start paying attention to those rankings, much more than we do the human poll. Minnesota State, having won eight of its last 10 (all since getting swept at Denver in November) are tied for 22nd in the Pairwise.
Minnesota State appears to have everybody available and is expected to go with the lineup that won them the Shillelagh Tournament in Chicago as well as the first game last weekend against American International. That group includes three freshmen -- Chase Grant, Zach Lehrke and J.P. Burkemper -- of a class that's been off to a solid start this season. Grant is on pace for a 21-point season, which would be the second-best output by a freshman in the last six seasons. Read more of The Free Press' series preview here.
Denver, meanwhile, is coming off an idle weekend, which gave star forwards Drew Shore and Jason Zucker a chance to rest following their bronze medal-winning performance in the World Junior Championships. In other Pios news, goalies Sam Brittain and Adam Murray are expected to split time this weekend.
Going around the rest of the WCHA ...
Minnesota at North Dakota: This rivalry is so big that each team has a captain back for his fifth year (OK maybe it's not because of the rivalry). The Gophers headed to Grand Forks on the heels of learning that goalie Alex Kangas' career is over due to hip surgery. Minnesota is also hoping its WJC participants will help give it a boost. ... The Grand Forks Herald is giving this series some mega-coverage, writing about how the games will be viewed around the country, that extra security will be on hand for the series after an incident between fans the last time the teams met and how good the Sioux have been in the 10 years Ralph Engelstad Arena has been open. Whew! Oh, on the ice, you can read more about the second-ranked Sioux on Brad Schlossman's outstanding hockey blog here.
Wisconsin at Minnesota Duluth: The Bulldogs host the Badgers in a big series for both of these top-10 teams. For Duluth, senior Justin Fontaine is set to break into the program's top 25 all-time scorers. That's pretty good company. Also, the Bulldogs are hoping their second half of the season can be as strong as their first. ... As for Wisconsin, the Badgers have the top goaltender in the WCHA, if not the nation, in Scott Gudmandson. And he's doing it with less fanfare than some other big names in Wisco goaltending history.
Bemidji State at Nebraska-Omaha: This is the second meeting between the WCHA's two newest teams. The last time they faced off, the Beavers cooled off the red-hot red Mavericks (they were reanked fourth in the country that weekend) with a sweep. Needless to say, Omaha is seeking some payback this weekend. ... As for Bemidji, it feels like it's got a real rivalry with UNO.
Colorado College at Alaska-Anchorage: Colorado College has the top offense in the WCHA, and is doing it without their top scorer, freshman Jaden Schwartz, who is out until February with a fractured ankle suffered in the WJC. ... As for the Seawolves, they feel like they had a solid first half (they're tied with MSU in the WCHA standings) with several close games. Now can they bounce back after a 34-day break between games?
St. Lawrence at Michigan Tech: Interesting matchup between the first two teams Minnesota State played this season. Remember that the Mavericks tied St. Lawrence twice in Mankato and lost and tied at Tech. St. Lawrence has had an up-and-down season since then. They are 6-10-3 but have an upset win over New Hampshire in there. The Huskies, meanwhile, have not won since beating MSU, going winless in 16 straight games, including 15 losses in a row.
Other WCHA previews: INCH, USCHO (and here) and College Hockey News.
In other college hockey ramblings, Gustavus Adolphus women's hockey coach Mike Carroll is going for his 250th career win tonight when the seventh-ranked Gusties host eighth-ranked Trinity in St. Peter, Minn.
Don't forget to check back on PucKato this evening for live coverage of MSU's game against Denver.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Backes named All Star
Read more about his selection here and here.
Meanwhile, Backes' old MSU teammate Travis Morin was named to the American Hockey League All-Star Game. Morin, who was named a starter, has 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points in 38 games for the Texas Stars.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Peterson plays
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| Pat Christman photo |
Read more at The Free Press.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
MSU 5, American International 2
Freddy's three thoughts of the game:
1. No Joke: Justin Jokinen had a goal and two assists to lead the Mavericks to the win -- their eighth victory in their last 10 games. Four other players scored goals (Kurt Davis, John McInnis, Chase Grant and Michael Dorr), too. McInnis' goal was the first of his career. Dorr's goal was an empty-netter. Grant's goal made it 4-2 with about 10 minutes play and allowed the Mavericks to breathe easy for the first time in the series (the Mavericks eked out a 1-0 win on Friday). "We all relaxed at that point," Grant said. "We knew we had to protect that lead, but it took some of the weight off our shoulders."
2. No more nonconference: The Mavericks closed out their nonconference schedule with a 6-0-2 record. "That's obviously good, to not lose in nonconference," coach Troy Jutting said. "It will really help with the Pairwise (rankings) and stuff. ... Those things help, and they're good for our league. It's nothing but WCHA play from here on out, starting with No. 6 Denver coming to Mankato on Friday night.
3. Getting a chance: Jutting mixed up his lineup on Saturday, putting in McInnis, Corey Leivermann, Brett Peterson and Danny Heath. McInnis' goal was a twisted wrister from the right circle that went in at the far post. Heath, a defenseman playing for just the third time this season, got his first collegiate point with an assist on Jokinen's game-opening goal at 1:25 of the first period. Peterson played for just the second time in his career and, likely, his last. You can read more about his experience in Monday's edition of The Free Press. Finally, Austin Lee got the start in goal and stopped 23 of 25 shots.
See the box score here.
1. No Joke: Justin Jokinen had a goal and two assists to lead the Mavericks to the win -- their eighth victory in their last 10 games. Four other players scored goals (Kurt Davis, John McInnis, Chase Grant and Michael Dorr), too. McInnis' goal was the first of his career. Dorr's goal was an empty-netter. Grant's goal made it 4-2 with about 10 minutes play and allowed the Mavericks to breathe easy for the first time in the series (the Mavericks eked out a 1-0 win on Friday). "We all relaxed at that point," Grant said. "We knew we had to protect that lead, but it took some of the weight off our shoulders."
2. No more nonconference: The Mavericks closed out their nonconference schedule with a 6-0-2 record. "That's obviously good, to not lose in nonconference," coach Troy Jutting said. "It will really help with the Pairwise (rankings) and stuff. ... Those things help, and they're good for our league. It's nothing but WCHA play from here on out, starting with No. 6 Denver coming to Mankato on Friday night.
3. Getting a chance: Jutting mixed up his lineup on Saturday, putting in McInnis, Corey Leivermann, Brett Peterson and Danny Heath. McInnis' goal was a twisted wrister from the right circle that went in at the far post. Heath, a defenseman playing for just the third time this season, got his first collegiate point with an assist on Jokinen's game-opening goal at 1:25 of the first period. Peterson played for just the second time in his career and, likely, his last. You can read more about his experience in Monday's edition of The Free Press. Finally, Austin Lee got the start in goal and stopped 23 of 25 shots.
See the box score here.
MSU vs. American International - Game 2 live blog
We have a Brett Peterson sighting! Lines are posted below the Cover It Live box ...
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 21-Sackrison 25-Hayes
20-Grant 12-Galiardi 11-Leivermann
27-Peterson 29-Zuck 14-Jokinen
24-Mueller 7-McInnis 9-Louwerse
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 13-Heath
1-Lee
30-Cook
35-Karambelas
Scratches: Burkemper, Lehrke, Mosey, Nelson, Schiller
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
28-Puskar 10-Arcibal 9-Pleskach
14-McLeod 19-Peake 27-Penny
11-T.Mele 18-Leitner 29-S.Mele
21-Sandor 15-Vatrano 26-Olsen
8-Grasso 4-Blanchette
3-Ceccacci 24-Markiewicz
17-Benovic 5-Little
30-Meisner
1-Kerpan
33-Anderson
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 21-Sackrison 25-Hayes
20-Grant 12-Galiardi 11-Leivermann
27-Peterson 29-Zuck 14-Jokinen
24-Mueller 7-McInnis 9-Louwerse
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 13-Heath
1-Lee
30-Cook
35-Karambelas
Scratches: Burkemper, Lehrke, Mosey, Nelson, Schiller
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
28-Puskar 10-Arcibal 9-Pleskach
14-McLeod 19-Peake 27-Penny
11-T.Mele 18-Leitner 29-S.Mele
21-Sandor 15-Vatrano 26-Olsen
8-Grasso 4-Blanchette
3-Ceccacci 24-Markiewicz
17-Benovic 5-Little
30-Meisner
1-Kerpan
33-Anderson
Friday, January 7, 2011
Minnesota State 1, American International 0
Freddy's three thoughts of the game:
1. A win is a win is a win: It wasn't pretty, but the Mavericks won for the seventh time in their last nine games and moved above .500 (9-8-4) for the first time this season. Amid some sloppy and sleepy play, Phil Cook stopped 17 shots (just one in the third period!) for his second career shutout, and Rylan Galiardi scored the game's lone goal, a power-play marker with 2:32 to play in the first period. "The reason why we're not happy is if we play like that in bigger games, that's not good enough," Galiardi said.
2. Meisner the miser: American International goaltender Ben Meisner stopped 51 of 52 shots, including all 22 he faced in the second period. He didn't make many brilliant saves -- most of MSU's shots hit the bumblebee on his sweater right between the eyes. But he did make one phenomenal stop on an Eriah Hayes breakaway out of the penalty box in the first minute of the third period. "To get 52 shots and score one goal? Are you kidding me?" Mavericks coach Troy Jutting said.
3. This won't hurt a bit: The Mavericks might not be happy with the way they played -- even Cook wasn't celebrating his shutout -- but it beats losing a game that could hurt them when it comes to postseason rankings. A loss or a tie could be a killer. The Mavericks' nonconference record right now is a very solid 5-0-2 with one game remaining -- Saturday night against AIC again. "I think we'll be worried if we come out the same way tomorrow," Galiardi said.
See the box score here.
1. A win is a win is a win: It wasn't pretty, but the Mavericks won for the seventh time in their last nine games and moved above .500 (9-8-4) for the first time this season. Amid some sloppy and sleepy play, Phil Cook stopped 17 shots (just one in the third period!) for his second career shutout, and Rylan Galiardi scored the game's lone goal, a power-play marker with 2:32 to play in the first period. "The reason why we're not happy is if we play like that in bigger games, that's not good enough," Galiardi said.
2. Meisner the miser: American International goaltender Ben Meisner stopped 51 of 52 shots, including all 22 he faced in the second period. He didn't make many brilliant saves -- most of MSU's shots hit the bumblebee on his sweater right between the eyes. But he did make one phenomenal stop on an Eriah Hayes breakaway out of the penalty box in the first minute of the third period. "To get 52 shots and score one goal? Are you kidding me?" Mavericks coach Troy Jutting said.
3. This won't hurt a bit: The Mavericks might not be happy with the way they played -- even Cook wasn't celebrating his shutout -- but it beats losing a game that could hurt them when it comes to postseason rankings. A loss or a tie could be a killer. The Mavericks' nonconference record right now is a very solid 5-0-2 with one game remaining -- Saturday night against AIC again. "I think we'll be worried if we come out the same way tomorrow," Galiardi said.
See the box score here.
MSU vs. American International - Game 1 live blog
Lines can be found below the Cover It Live box ...
MINNESOTA STATE
23-Dorr 21-Sackrison 25-Hayes
20-Grant 12-Galiardi 19-Lehrke
24-Mueller 26-Schiller 9-Louwerse
15-Burkemper 29-Zuck 14-Jokinen
28-Boe 22-Davis
16-Elbrecht 5-Youds
3-Cooper 17-Mosey
30-Cook
1-Lee
35-Karambelas
Scratches: Heath, Leivermann, McInnis, Nelson, Peterson
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
21-Sandor 10-Arcibal 9-Pleskach
14-McLeod 19-Peake 27-Penny
11-T.Mele 18-Leitner 12-Campanale
2-Primiani 29-S.Mele 15-Vatrano
8-Grasso 4-Blanchette
3-Ceccacci 24-Markiewicz
17-Benovic 5-Little
30-Meisner
1-Kerpan
33-Anderson
Referees: Thul, Campion. Linesmen: Anderson, Schultz
Friday-morning skate
Minnesota State is back home this weekend and will wrap up the nonconference schedule against American International. Many people have asked about AIC. It's a small college located in Springfield, Mass. It's hockey team plays in the Atlantic Hockey league.
This will be the second meeting between the Mavericks and the Yellow Jackets. The first came in the 2002-03 season, with MSU winning 7-3 and then "suffering" a 3-3 tie despite putting 60 shots on goal. That was somewhat of a low spot for the Mavs that year, yet it was part of the 17-game unbeaten streak that put them into a tie for second place in the WCHA and earned them a trip to the NCAA tournament. Read more about this year's matchup here.
As for the Mavericks, Shillelagh Tournament all-tournament defenseman Cameron Cooper is having his best season at MSU. The junior has been an every-day D-man, playing in all situations, including power play. The secret to his success? Keeping his game simple. And hockey might be the simplest part of the day for the human biology major.
Looking around the WCHA, there is just one conference matchup this weekend as St. Cloud State hosts Michigan Tech. For St. Cloud, it's been the best of times and the worst of times this week. The good: the Huskies are coming off a win at the Florida College Classic and freshman Nic Dowd was named tournament MVP and WCHA offensive player of the week. The bad: three players have left the team this week for various reasons. ... As for those other Huskies, they have lost 13 games in a row and have not won since an Oct. 15 victory over Minnesota State.
In nonconference play, MSU isn't the only team playing an Atlantic Hockey school. Wisconsin and North Dakota are, too. ...
• Wisconsin hosts Canisius: A big stat that has stood out for the Badgers this season has been their reduction in penalties, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Wisconsin is averaging 6.5 penalties per game, the lowest since Mike Eaves became coach in 2002.
• North Dakota hosts Robert Morris: The Sioux will be officially retiring the No. 12 this weekend in honor of Terry Casey, hanging the number to the rafters of The Ralph. Casey, an All-American in had 118 points in four seasons before being killed in a car accident in Montana prior to the 1968 Olympics, which he was preparing to play in.
Minnesota and Minnesota Duluth will each host the U.S. Under-18 team in an exhibition game, playing tonight and Saturday, respectively.
This will be the second meeting between the Mavericks and the Yellow Jackets. The first came in the 2002-03 season, with MSU winning 7-3 and then "suffering" a 3-3 tie despite putting 60 shots on goal. That was somewhat of a low spot for the Mavs that year, yet it was part of the 17-game unbeaten streak that put them into a tie for second place in the WCHA and earned them a trip to the NCAA tournament. Read more about this year's matchup here.
As for the Mavericks, Shillelagh Tournament all-tournament defenseman Cameron Cooper is having his best season at MSU. The junior has been an every-day D-man, playing in all situations, including power play. The secret to his success? Keeping his game simple. And hockey might be the simplest part of the day for the human biology major.
Looking around the WCHA, there is just one conference matchup this weekend as St. Cloud State hosts Michigan Tech. For St. Cloud, it's been the best of times and the worst of times this week. The good: the Huskies are coming off a win at the Florida College Classic and freshman Nic Dowd was named tournament MVP and WCHA offensive player of the week. The bad: three players have left the team this week for various reasons. ... As for those other Huskies, they have lost 13 games in a row and have not won since an Oct. 15 victory over Minnesota State.
In nonconference play, MSU isn't the only team playing an Atlantic Hockey school. Wisconsin and North Dakota are, too. ...
• Wisconsin hosts Canisius: A big stat that has stood out for the Badgers this season has been their reduction in penalties, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Wisconsin is averaging 6.5 penalties per game, the lowest since Mike Eaves became coach in 2002.
• North Dakota hosts Robert Morris: The Sioux will be officially retiring the No. 12 this weekend in honor of Terry Casey, hanging the number to the rafters of The Ralph. Casey, an All-American in had 118 points in four seasons before being killed in a car accident in Montana prior to the 1968 Olympics, which he was preparing to play in.
• Bemidji State at Alabama-Huntsville: The Beavers are visiting Division I's lone independent team this weekend. The two teams are longtime rivals, and just a year ago, they were foes in the now-defunct College Hockey America league.
Minnesota and Minnesota Duluth will each host the U.S. Under-18 team in an exhibition game, playing tonight and Saturday, respectively.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Random notes
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| Anchorage Daily News photo |
Harrison is teammates with MSU alum Jerad Stewart, who has five goals and nine assists and is +11 in 24 games for the Aces. ...
Staying in the ECHL, another Mavericks alum, Kael Mouillierat, was named to the league's All-Star Game, which will be held Jan. 26 in Bakersfield, Calif. Mouillierat leads Idaho and all league rookies with 34 points in 33 games. Geoff Irwin and Mike Zacharias also play for the Steelheads. ...
Back to the college game, not surprisingly, MSU's Michael Dorr was named WCHA offensive player of the week on Wednesday, giving the Mavericks even more recognition after their Shillelagh Tournament win. "It's good to get team recognition," Dorr said after practice on Wednesday. "But we're not really too worried about what's in the papers. We're just worried about doing the job in the rink." ...
What's going on in St. Cloud? The Huskies' best weekend of the season -- a championship at the Florida College Classic -- ended with senior defenseman and assistant captain Chris Hepp signing with the Idaho Steelheads and senior forward Tony Mosey being dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules. St. Cloud State coach Bob Motzko wouldn't say if the departures were related. Read more about them here. Another Huskies player, freshman Bryce Johnson, has left the team to return to the USHL after playing in just three games. ...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Dorr garners national honor
Since transferring to Minnesota State and becoming eligible just over one calendar year ago, Dorr has played in 42 games for the Mavericks, compiling 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks must have turned some heads with their wins in suburban Chicago but it was still not enough to eke into the top 20. Perhaps it's because of their .500 record (8-8-4). Perhaps it's because teams like Quinnipiac (sweeping Nebraska-Omaha) and St. Cloud State (beating Miami in a Florida tournament) also pulled off upsets over the holidays. But MSU did get some votes --15 points to be exact -- enough to put them 26th in the country.
By the way, here is a home video of Dorr's game-winning goal from Saturday's game against Notre Dame. It came with 22.9 seconds left in regulation:
Monday, January 3, 2011
More from Chicago
Notre Dame took third place in the tournament, outshooting Boston University 42-19 but needing to erase a two-goal deficit in the third period to force overtime. Officially, the game goes down in a tie, but the Irish won in a shootout. ... The full all-tournament team included Michael Dorr (most outstanding player), Rylan Galiardi and Brown's Jack Maclellan at forward; Cameron Cooper and Brown's Matt Wahl on defense; and Phil Cook in goal.
Looking at the Mavericks' final stats from the weekend, Michael Dorr officially had 3 goals and 2 assists in the tournament. Andrew Sackrison finished with 4 assists. Cameron Cooper had 2 goals and 1 assist. Rylan Galiardi and Eriah Hayes each had 1 goal and 2 assists. Eli Zuck finished with 3 assists (all on Sunday). ... Dorr is now tied with Kurt Davis atop the Mavericks' scoring list with 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points. He leads the team in goals. Davis has 6 goals and 9 assists. ...
Phil Cook stopped 58 of 64 shots for a .906 save percentage in the tournament. Cook admitted on Sunday that he allowed more goals than he would have liked (of the six goals, two were power-play goals and one was short-handed), but he got the (timely) goal support he needed throughout.
For those of you following the Pairwise Rankings in January, MSU has moved up to 23rd. ...
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Mavericks win Shillelagh title
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| The banner hanging above the 3rd place game. |
Freddy's three thoughts of the game (I'm keeping this short as I get ready to hit the road):
1. Lucky seven: Six different players scored goals for the Mavericks in the rout. Michael Dorr had two to complete an phenomenal, Most Outstanding Player performance. Mike Louwerse, Eriah Hayes, Kurt Davis, Cameron Cooper and J.P. Burkemper also scored goals. Dorr added an assist for a four-point weekend that included the late GWG on Saturday. "Confidence, right now, is pretty high for me," Dorr said. "Coming into this weekend, I wasn't as confident as I needed to be."
2. All-tourney team: Dorr, Cooper, Rylan Galiardi and goalie Phil Cook were named to the all-tournament team, along with Brown's Matt Wahl and Jack Maclellan. Cooper was one of the defensemen, along with Wahl. He had a goal and an assist to go along with a goal on Saturday. Kurt Davis should have received some consideration for D, too, as his goal with 10.4 seconds left in the second period was as timely as it gets. The Mavericks had a penchant for scoring late-period goals, getting two on Saturday and one on Sunday.
3. Stay positive: The theme of the day seemed to be just that, as coach Troy Jutting and his players all talked about keeping their heads up when things went bad for them. Against Brown, they were down 1-0 after one period, and they saw the Bears trim two-goal leads to one goal twice in momentum-changing ways. There was Maclellan's short-handed goal with 2:22 to play in the second and Garnet Hathaway's score just 1:48 into the third. The Mavericks responded with Davis' late goal in the second and Cooper's goal midway through the third. "When we got down, it didn't throw us into a tailspin," Jutting said. "Instead it refocused the kids into some positive energy. Early in the season, that didn't happen."
Shillelagh championship game - live blog
It's Minnesota State vs. Brown in the final of the Shillelagh Tournament. Lines can be found below the Cover It Live box.
MINNESOTA STATE
Dorr - Sackrison - Hayes
Grant - Galiardi - Lehrke
Mueller - Schiller - Louwerse
Burkemper - Zuck - Jokinen
Boe - Davis
Elbrecht - Youds
Cooper - Mosey
Cook
Lee
Karambelas
Scratches: Heath, Leivermann, McInnis, Nelson, Peterson
BROWN
Zolnierczyk - MacLellan - Goldberg
Zaires - Fratkin - Hourihan
Farnham - Brownschidle - Hathaway
Smith - Senecal - Siers
Robertson - Wahl
Russell - Wolff
Crowley - Carrier
Clemente
De Filippo
Borelli
MINNESOTA STATE
Dorr - Sackrison - Hayes
Grant - Galiardi - Lehrke
Mueller - Schiller - Louwerse
Burkemper - Zuck - Jokinen
Boe - Davis
Elbrecht - Youds
Cooper - Mosey
Cook
Lee
Karambelas
Scratches: Heath, Leivermann, McInnis, Nelson, Peterson
BROWN
Zolnierczyk - MacLellan - Goldberg
Zaires - Fratkin - Hourihan
Farnham - Brownschidle - Hathaway
Smith - Senecal - Siers
Robertson - Wahl
Russell - Wolff
Crowley - Carrier
Clemente
De Filippo
Borelli
The Shillelagh
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Mavericks 4, Irish 3
Freddy's 3 thoughts of the game:
1. Big goal(s), big win: We've been waiting for Michael Dorr to score big goals, and he came through on Saturday night in the opening round of Notre Dame's Shillelagh Tournament. His goal with 22.9 seconds left in the third period -- just as everyone, including beat writers, were preparing themselves for overtime -- gave the Mavericks a 4-3 victory over the 12th-ranked home team. Minnesota State led 2-0 after the first period on goals by Cameron Cooper and Evan Mosey, fell behind 3-2 midway through the second period and got a very important game-tying goal from Rylan Galiardi with less than a minute to play in the second.
2. Noise from Illinois: It was a good night for a few guys playing at home. Goalie Phil Cook, a Wheaton native, stopped 34 shots. Downers Grove native Evan Mosey scored the second goal. Tyler Elbrecht, who was born in the Chicago area but grew up near St. Louis, had a solid defensive night at the Sears Center. Announced attendance was 3,580 in the 11,000-seat arena.
3. Playing for a championship: The Mavericks will take on Brown -- who upset No. 10 Boston University 6-1 in the tournament opener -- for the Shillelagh (there's a real, little cane for the championship trophy, believe it or not) in the title game at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Certainly most folks figured Notre Dame and BU would be playing on Sunday but not for third place. Notre Dame has won the last three tournaments. "One of the reasons why you like to play wintertime tournaments," MSU coach Troy Jutting said, "is that hit helps at the end of the season, when you're in a tournament situation again."
Read The Free Press game story here. See the box score here.
1. Big goal(s), big win: We've been waiting for Michael Dorr to score big goals, and he came through on Saturday night in the opening round of Notre Dame's Shillelagh Tournament. His goal with 22.9 seconds left in the third period -- just as everyone, including beat writers, were preparing themselves for overtime -- gave the Mavericks a 4-3 victory over the 12th-ranked home team. Minnesota State led 2-0 after the first period on goals by Cameron Cooper and Evan Mosey, fell behind 3-2 midway through the second period and got a very important game-tying goal from Rylan Galiardi with less than a minute to play in the second.
2. Noise from Illinois: It was a good night for a few guys playing at home. Goalie Phil Cook, a Wheaton native, stopped 34 shots. Downers Grove native Evan Mosey scored the second goal. Tyler Elbrecht, who was born in the Chicago area but grew up near St. Louis, had a solid defensive night at the Sears Center. Announced attendance was 3,580 in the 11,000-seat arena.
3. Playing for a championship: The Mavericks will take on Brown -- who upset No. 10 Boston University 6-1 in the tournament opener -- for the Shillelagh (there's a real, little cane for the championship trophy, believe it or not) in the title game at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Certainly most folks figured Notre Dame and BU would be playing on Sunday but not for third place. Notre Dame has won the last three tournaments. "One of the reasons why you like to play wintertime tournaments," MSU coach Troy Jutting said, "is that hit helps at the end of the season, when you're in a tournament situation again."
Read The Free Press game story here. See the box score here.
Minnesota State vs. Notre Dame - live blog
Greetings from suburban Chicago, site of the Shillelagh Tournament. Minnesota State and Notre Dame will square off at 6:05 p.m. Tonight's lines can be found below the Cover It Live box:
MINNESOTA STATE
Dorr - Sackrison - Hayes
Grant - Galiardi - Lehrke
Mueller - Schiller - Louwerse
Burkemper - Zuck - Jokinen
Boe - Davis
Elbrecht - Youds
Cooper - Mosey
Cook
Lee
Karambelas
Scratches: Heath, Leivermann, McInnis, Nelson, Peterson
NOTRE DAME
Costello - Ryan - Guentzel
Ridderwall - Sheahan - Maday
Larson - Tynan - Lee
Ryan - Gerths - Voran
Lavin - Johns
Taker - Lorenz
Lind - Calabrese
Summerhays
Rogers
Johnson
MINNESOTA STATE
Dorr - Sackrison - Hayes
Grant - Galiardi - Lehrke
Mueller - Schiller - Louwerse
Burkemper - Zuck - Jokinen
Boe - Davis
Elbrecht - Youds
Cooper - Mosey
Cook
Lee
Karambelas
Scratches: Heath, Leivermann, McInnis, Nelson, Peterson
NOTRE DAME
Costello - Ryan - Guentzel
Ridderwall - Sheahan - Maday
Larson - Tynan - Lee
Ryan - Gerths - Voran
Lavin - Johns
Taker - Lorenz
Lind - Calabrese
Summerhays
Rogers
Johnson
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