Freddy's three thoughts of the game:
1. This one hurts: The Mavericks played their worst game in two months and it cost them a chance to get within two points of the upper tier of the WCHA standings. The loss was MSU's first against an unranked team since it lost at Michigan Tech on Oct. 15. They put 41 shots on goal and got just one past the outstanding Dan Bakala, who had 81 saves on 84 shots in the series split. The Mavericks scored first but, like Friday, let the Beavers hang around. Bemidji State scored four unanswered goals en route to the win.
2. Galiardi snakebit: MSU captain Rylan Galiardi had team-high eight shots on goal but couldn't get the puck past Bakala. "I had at least five gold chances," said Galiardi, who was robbed on a point-blank chance during a 5x3 power play early in the second period. Later in the period he put an open shot off the post after getting a nice pass from Corey Leivermann. "There's lots of disappointment," Galiardi said. "Getting ... two points would have been a big step in the right direction. We didn't take advantage. We're disappointed for sure."
3. Bouncing back? It will be interesting to see how the Mavericks respond to the loss. They have been playing very good hockey since Thanksgiving, and they may have been due for a clunker. Up next is a road series Colorado College, which split a series against rival Denver, followed by Minnesota Duluth and Anchorage at home over the final three weeks of the season (MSU is idle between those series). What's troubling though is the goal-scoring issue. Three goals in two games against Bemidji, and only one of those came from a forward (Michael Dorr on Saturday).
Read Saturday's box score here.
6 comments:
The common thing you hear watching NHL games when they are not scoring is that they are holding their sticks too tight. I think that is part of what is going on with the scoring. The more we don't score the obvious pressure to score mounts. The pressure on themselves, from the coaches, the fans etc. Maybe it is a simple as relaxing the hands and the pressure on themselves. Don't know just a thought.
Could be.
In the end, it really does not matter what we think. It has to happen on the ice.
While standing in line for the little guy to guy to get his poster signed, we had an Alumni season ticket holder in front of us just going on and on from the coaching to the lack of PP production this weekend. Sure, she was right, yet nothing we can do but to continue to support our team as they continue to work through adversity.
Go Mavs...
This team scored six goals last Saturday in St. Cloud. They put 84 shots on goal this weekend.
At some point you have to tip your cap to Dan Bakala and the BSU defense. They did a great job of limiting the Mavericks opportunities from the prime scoring areas. Bakala did the rest by gathering in the rebounds.
The more pressing concern for this team right now (other than the abysmal power play) is the turnovers. It seems as though every turnover the Mavericks have comes at the worst possible place on the ice. Then they wind up in the back of the net.
Limit the turnovers and continue to put 40 shots on goal and you'll win more games than you lose.
BIG- that was ME! I'm surprised you didn't figure it out from what I post on here. Same old stuff and I was so dang frustrated!
Well, at least I'm assuming it was me....I was talking to cowbell guy and he was saying the same stuff?
I know I'm a broken record on it but it's so hard to watch year to year. I can support most of the players, as I think they all have a lot of talent..just can't support the coach:(
I'm sure the players are just as frustrated as the fans are.
On a side note about the autograph line, I must say I was very impressed with how personable the freshmen players were to the little kids. For their first time doing it, they did a nice job. I've heard nothing but good stuff about the freshman class, which is promising for the future.
I also have to go on the record saying I'm a converted Dorr fan. I know I was very leery of him coming here and wasn't excited at all when it was posted on this blog. In fact, I was pretty vocal about it:) I'll eat my words and say I was wrong and that my worries were not needed. I love what he brings to the team, on and off the ice. He too was super nice to the kids coming through the line. Pretty sure we'll see him wearing the "C" next year!
Why do the Mavericks fail to look at last year when preparing for games? Last year they played Cook the first night against Bemidji and were struggling until they got two 5 minute major penalties back to back in their favor and pulled ahead to win 5-1. The next night they played Lee who was out shot 31 to 14 and stole the game with a 3-2 win. What a waste of talent to see Lee sit on a bench when he can steal games and when he can match up against a Bakala. Lee showed he is still a strong goalie in his performance against Wisconsin 3 weeks ago despite not getting many minutes this year. Chris Dilks of the WCHBlog had it right in his preseason assessment when he assessed the WCHA teams based on goalies. He had the inside scoop that Jutting was going to play Cook as the number one goalie this season and based on that fact alone he ranked Minnesota State University, Mankato 11th in the WCHA at the end of the 2010-11 season. I'm just saying....
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